After survival in the Premier League during the 2025/26 campaign, this summer window presents a massive opportunity for Leeds United to kick on and reach the nexts level.

Daniel Farke’s men finished a staggering eight points clear of the relegation zone during their first season back in England’s top-flight after a two-year absence.

With the likes of Coventry City and Hull City securing promotion to the Premier League, it presents a real chance for the Whites to bridge the gap to the sides coming up.

However, the hierarchy will likely have to spend big once again this summer to help the German in his quest for success during his time in charge at Elland Road.

A real impetus should be placed on planning quality over quantity during the current window, with only a few areas of the squad in need of reinforcements ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Leeds leading the race to sign £40m star this summer

In an attempt to take the Leeds squad to the next level during the upcoming season, Leeds have been credited with an interest in numerous leading stars in Europe.

Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande has been constantly touted with a summer switch to Yorkshire - but a deal for the Ivorian could cost a pretty penny.

The 22-year-old could cost as much as £43m during the current window - a deal that would break the Whites’ club-record transfer fee paid for Georginio Rutter.

The attacking department is also set to be bolstered during the ongoing window, with Juventus striker Lois Openda another player who’s emerged on their radar.

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are said to be leading the race to secure the Belgian’s signature after being told he’s free to leave the Italian outfit this summer.

The report states the 26-year-old is set to join the Old Lady in a £40m deal from RB Leipzig, but could be sold or loaned out after scoring just one goal on loan last term.

Everton, Nottingham Forest and Coventry are the three other teams currently in contention to secure his services, but Farke’s men appear to be at the front of the queue.

Why Openda would be as electric as Summerville for Leeds

Over recent seasons, Leeds has been the home to numerous top-level attacking talents, but very few have reached the levels produced by Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville.

After joining from Feyenoord back in April 2021, minimal supporters would have known the quality he possesses - but it’s safe to say the fanbase adored him after his 2023/24 campaign.

The 24-year-old scored 20 times and registered nine assists in England’s second tier, but it wasn’t enough to help the Whites secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

As a result, the attacker would depart to join West Ham United in a deal worth a reported £25m - subsequently going down as one of the club’s record sales.

However, Summerville has been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent days - a transfer which could undoubtedly jeopardise his cult hero status at Elland Road.

Noah Okafor has since been the club’s best speedster in recent months, but a move for Openda could inject added and needed pace to the Whites’ attacking department.

The Belgian clocked a mind-boggling 36.86km/h for Leipzig during the 2024/25 campaign - a figure which placed him second for fastest players in Germany’s top division.

He is a striker who loves to play on the final shoulder of the defender - as seen in the season prior, which saw the attacker net 24 league goals in his 34 outings.

Openda, who’s been labelled “terrifying” by Seb Stafford-Bloor, has netted 43 goals across the last three seasons, with no Leeds player registering more in the same period.

His electric pace, combined with his deadly finishing, is evidence he has all the tools needed to be a monster hit upon any move to the Premier League this summer.

The 26-year-old would offer the needed quality and top-level experience needed to help Farke in his quest to push the club up the table during 2026/27 and beyond.

£40m would be a mammoth sum for Leeds this summer, but it’s a deal that would see them land a proven and consistent goalscorer to help bolster their forward ranks.

Should he have a similar impact to Summerville upon any move to Yorkshire - there’s little denying Openda would become a fan-favourite with the supporters in no time at all.