Leeds United’s transfer window rated: Why Farke’s squad looks stronger - but one question remains

There is always a temptation to judge a transfer window by the excitement surrounding the final signing, but for Leeds United, the more important question is whether Daniel Farke’s squad is better equipped for the Premier League than it was when the summer began.

If Melvin Bard and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya complete their moves before the deadline, the answer is a fairly emphatic yes.

Leeds will have brought in seven players this summer, with Tarik Muharemović, Harry Wilson, James Trafford, Nico Elvedi and Michael Zetterer already through the door, while Bard and Bahoya are expected to follow.

It is a recruitment drive that has strengthened several areas of the squad and, perhaps most importantly, has given Farke greater depth to work with.

There are still things that could have been done differently. A back-up striker would have taken the window closer to perfection, while another midfielder could have added further competition. However, those feel more like the imperfections of a very good window rather than major shortcomings.

For me, Leeds’ summer transfer business deserves a 9/10.

One of the biggest positives is the work Leeds have done through the spine of the team.

James Trafford was always likely to be one of the headline signings, particularly given the fee involved, but Leeds were buying more than just a goalkeeper.

They were bringing in someone with Premier League experience who could potentially establish himself as the club’s long-term number one.

Michael Zetterer’s arrival has also strengthened that department. Having an experienced goalkeeper behind Trafford means Farke should not be left scrambling for an alternative should his first-choice goalkeeper be unavailable.

The same can be said about central defence.

Tarik Muharemović represents an exciting addition with plenty of potential, while Nico Elvedi brings a different profile and a wealth of experience at the highest level.

His ability to step into the side should prove particularly valuable over the course of a Premier League season.

That depth has already looked important following Joe Rodon’s hamstring injury against Brentford.

Leeds had questions over whether they had enough defensive cover before the window closes, and Elvedi’s arrival has gone some way towards answering them.

If Bard completes his move, that will strengthen the defence further.

The expected arrival of Melvin Bard is unlikely to generate the same excitement as some of Leeds’ other additions, but it could prove to be one of the more useful pieces of business.

Gabriel Gudmundsson is currently the club’s natural first-choice option at left-back, while James Justin can operate there despite being naturally right-footed.

The issue with relying too heavily on Justin is that his versatility is also one of his biggest strengths.

He can cover at centre-back, right-back and right wing-back, giving Farke an important utility player within the squad.

Bard would allow Leeds to use that versatility elsewhere without leaving themselves short on the left.

That is exactly the sort of signing a squad needs. He does not necessarily have to be a star; he needs to provide genuine competition and ensure an injury does not suddenly leave Farke having to restructure two positions.

Harry Wilson gives Leeds another dimension in the final third and, crucially, arrives with plenty of Premier League experience.

His creativity and ability to contribute in attacking areas should give Farke another option when Leeds need to change the way they approach a game.

He also increases competition for places, which should be one of the defining features of this squad.

That becomes particularly relevant when considering the expected departure of Wilfried Gnonto.

Leeds have spent much of the summer trying to improve their squad without creating new weaknesses, and the situation surrounding Gnonto was a good example of that.

The club were clear that the Italian would not be allowed to leave unless they could secure an attacking replacement.

Bahoya now appears to be that replacement.

The agreement in principle with Eintracht Frankfurt for Jean-Mattéo Bahoya is an important late piece of business.

Reports indicate that Leeds have also agreed personal terms with the player, with a medical scheduled, putting him on the verge of becoming the club’s latest attacking addition.

The 20-year-old is not being asked to simply replicate everything Gnonto offers.

Instead, he provides Farke with another young attacking option and competition on the left side.

That was one of the positions Leeds needed to address before the window closed, particularly if Gnonto was going to leave.

It means the club can allow a player to move on without leaving themselves significantly weaker in terms of numbers.

If there is one position where I would have liked Leeds to do more, it is up front.

A back-up striker would have made this feel like a near-perfect window. Premier League seasons are long, and injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion can quickly expose a lack of depth in attack.

Leeds have options, but having another recognised striker capable of providing competition and cover would have given Farke another valuable solution.

There was also an argument for adding another midfielder, although that feels much less important.

Leeds have not had significant outgoings in that area, so there was never the same urgency to strengthen midfield as there was at left-back or on the wing.

If the club had lost one of their existing options, the situation would have been different.

Instead, Leeds appear to have prioritised the positions where the squad genuinely needed reinforcement.

That feels like the right approach.

Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to Leeds’ recruitment is that the club appear to have been building a squad rather than simply trying to assemble the best possible starting XI.

That distinction matters in the Premier League.

Trafford, Muharemović, Elvedi, Wilson and potentially Bard and Bahoya are not simply players being brought in to fill numbers.

They give Farke different options and, in several cases, provide competition for players who might otherwise have had little pressure on their place.

No transfer window is ever perfect, and there will always be supporters who would have preferred one more signing in a particular position.

For me, however, Leeds have addressed the majority of the obvious weaknesses.

They have added Premier League experience, young talent and, importantly, depth across several areas of the pitch.

If Bard and Bahoya are completed as expected, the only major omission is the lack of another striker.

The ultimate judgement will come on the pitch, but Leeds have given themselves a much stronger platform for the Premier League season than they had when the summer began.

My rating: 9/10.

The back-up striker would have made it a 10, but it is difficult to have too many complaints about the work Leeds have done this summer.