An eight-game unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end on the final day for Leeds United, but even that 3-0 defeat couldn't put a dampener on what proved to be an encouraging campaign at Elland Road.

FA Cup semi-finalists and comfortably safe from relegation, Daniel Farke exceeded expectations following his return to the top-flight, shaking off those prior woes at Norwich City to prove he does belong at this level.

Those Carrow Road sides appeared to have a soft core, almost destined to go down right from the off, yet in Yorkshire, the German has assembled a battling, relentless side who can go toe-to-toe with anyone on their day.

It may not quite be the remarkable chaos of Marcelo Bielsa, but there is a stable platform for Leeds to build on, with new signings now needed to help take the club to that next level next season.

Leeds close in on agreement for first summer transfer

The World Cup continues to dominate the headlines, although there is transfer activity rumbling on in the background, including Leeds' pursuit of Julian Brandt.

The soon-to-be free agent has been the subject of an approach from the Whites by all accounts, with the German's Borussia Dortmund contract set to expire at the end of the month.

Unsurprisingly, the 30-year-old does have a raft of other suitors chasing his signature, ensuring Leeds could be fighting a losing battle on that front.

One player who does appear more likely to make the switch to Elland Road is Southampton's Shea Charles, however, with TEAMtalk providing the latest on the 22-year-old's future.

As per the report, there is a 'growing confidence' that a deal will be struck for the Northern Ireland international 'this week', with Leeds getting the 'green light' to make him their first signing of the summer.

A £20m offer has already been rebuffed, yet Farke's side remain the frontrunners as things stand, with the piece outlining that an 'agreement is close to being found'.

Charles could be like a 'mix of Gray, Ampadu and Justin' at Leeds

Whether the 3-5-2 is here to stay or not, Farke will no doubt be keen to strengthen his squad with versatile players who can fill a number of roles in a variety of systems.

You only have to look to the importance of skipper, Ethan Ampadu, to see how highly Farke values such flexibility, the ex-Chelsea man comfortably flitting between a central midfield or centre-back role.

There has also been a bit of the Stuart Dallas about 2025 arrival, James Justin, the Englishman popping up here, there and everywhere to emerge as something of a surprise star at Elland Road last season.

Previously too, the Leeds boss found a home for academy sensation, Archie Gray, during the 2023/24 campaign, utilising the teenage midfielder in an inverted right-back role in what proved something of a breakout year for the now-Tottenham Hotspur gem.

In Charles' case, he could well be cut from a similar cloth, with journalist Adoni Storr making the comparison between the youngster and that Leeds-affiliated trio, as he "can play anywhere in midfield or defence".

Perhaps most similarly to Gray and previously Ampadu, Charles is another young talent who Farke can nurture, coming from good stock after rising up through the ranks at Manchester City.

He has since spent three years with the Saints, although it was 2024/25 where he particularly shone on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, scoring and assisting six goals in the Championship, having operated as a defensive midfielder or centre-back that season.

Injury did inhibit his influence after returning to St Mary's, although he still scored six times in all competitions across 2025/26, lining up in a variety of roles ranging from attacking midfield to right-back.

That very much bears a likeness to Justin last time out, the ex-Leicester City man scoring three times as Leeds' jack of all trades, having swiftly quashed the doubters following his £10m arrival.

Charles' most telling contribution came following his winner against Middlesbrough to seal Southampton's place at Wembley, only to see that effort prove futile amid the remarkable 'Spygate' debacle.

Elsewhere too, he also mirrors Wales man Ampadu in having swiftly cemented a leading role for his country at such a young age, already up to 35 caps at just 22, while having captained Northern Ireland on occasion.

He certainly ticks plenty of boxes, arguably the perfect fit for Farke's 3-5-2 system, with this potentially set to prove yet another astute deal for the new regime at Elland Road.