Sunderland twist emerges in Leeds bid to sign £16.8m striker

Daniel Farke has a busy summer ahead of him, getting Leeds United in shape and ready for life in the Premier League.

Although the Whites were promoted from the Championship as champions, the top flight is no easy task and reinforcements will be needed.

There is work to be done throughout the side, but a key area that needs additional strength is the attacking options.

Leeds United face competition in race for striker

Although Joel Piroe ended the season as the Championship’s top goalscorer, Leeds cannot go into the Premier League with him the only option.

The Dutchman failed to break the 20-goal barrier and, at times, went through goal droughts in the campaign.

With backup options in Patrick Bamford, Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph all linked with a move away from Elland Road this term, too, Leeds will be especially short in the final third.

The German boss has already been looking at options, though, and one man on the transfer radar is Vladyslav Vanat of Dynamo Kyiv.

Leeds will have to wait to get the Dynamo Kyiv man, however, until the Ukrainian side has played their Champions League qualifying matches.

If the Whites do go for him, Farke’s side will be required to meet the £16.8million release clause that is in his contract.

However, the West Yorkshire outfit are set to face competition for the striker’s services this summer, with journalist Mikhail Spivakovsky saying on the TaToTake YouTube channel (21 May) that Sunderland have put Vanat on their transfer shortlist as one of two or three options.

West Ham, Brentford, Fulham and Wolves have also been credited with interest.

Leeds need to beat Sunderland to transfer

Sunderland still need to see off Sheffield United if they are to make it to the Premier League, putting Farke’s side in pole position when it comes to striking a deal.

However, even if the Black Cats do join the Whites in the top flight, Leeds have to make a statement and win this fight if Vanat is someone they are looking to sign this summer.

Leeds were promoted as champions and go into the top flight with big ambitions under the ownership of the 49ers, so this has to be reflected in their summer business.

It’s hard to tell how the striker would adapt to life at the top of the English game, but his numbers in the Ukrainian Premier League have been impressive this season.

At just 23-years-old, this could be someone worth taking a punt on in the hope that Vanat is on his way up.

Leeds United reach out to Lennon Miller as ‘attractive’ transfer option shared

Leeds United are looking to bolster their midfield with the signing of Lennon Miller from Motherwell.

With the summer rapidly approaching, Leeds have a lot of work to do if they are to be prepared for life back in the Premier League.

Recruitment at Elland Road is going to be crucial to their ambitions, and with several players already linked with a move to Leeds, it seems as though they are ready to match that.

With that in mind, Daniel Farke’s side have looked at the possibility of signing Motherwell’s Miller, though they face plenty of competition.

Farke needs to be backed this summer

Leeds have several decisions to make this summer if they are to have any chance of surviving in the Premier League, and most of them will come down to recruitment.

While retaining key talent will be important, with the likes of Sam Byram offered new deals, incomings are going to be just as crucial amid links to Miller.

A report from TBR (21 May) states that Leeds are one of several English clubs to have made contact with the 18-year-old, with West Ham and Manchester United among the other sides linked.