Analysing Leeds United’s summer activity and future transfer plans

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Leeds United have been busy in the transfer market already this summer with two incoming players and the release of quite a few more from the squad. This is the first sign of a new era at Elland Road under new manager Garry Monk as he looks to stamp his authority on the squad.

Monks first signing of the season, Marcus Antonsson, came from Kalmar FF in the Swedish Allvenskan league, where he scored 10 goals in his first 12 appearances of the 2016/17 season. Since joining Kalmar FF in 2015, Antonsson has scored 22 goals in his 41 appearances for the club and started to make a bit of name for himself as good finisher.

Leeds have recently released striker Mirco Antenucci from his tenure at Elland Road who himself scored 19 goals in 75 appearances and with Monk’s squad looking thin in the striking area, the signing of Antonsson for £2 million on a 3-year deal seems like good business by the club. Leeds fans and boss Monk will be hoping Antonsson can replicate his scoring form for the team and improve in his record of nearly one goal every three games.

The Whites also recently released Giuseppe Bellusci to Serie A side Empoli on loan for the 2016/17 campaign, with a deal in place for a permanent move at the end of the season-long spell. Bellusci was a big part of the club’s 2015/16 season and was known as an on/off player amongst the fans, but it seems he was not in the plans of Monk and thus not meant to play a part in the club’s future.

Scott Wootton was also released by the club at the end of the season so Leeds manager Garry Monk needed to reinforce his defence options and he looked no further than his old team, Swansea City, to Kyle Bartley. The 25-year-old joins Leeds on loan for the 2016/17 season, but with his contract due to expire at the Liberty Stadium come the end of season, he could well make his move permanent if he impresses.

This will be Bartleys second appearance in the Championship, after being sent on loan to Birmingham in 2013, which saw him score five goals in 19 matches, proving he can do it at both ends of the field. Monk will certainly be hoping his new signing can reproduce the goods under him at Elland Road – just like he did at Swansea – as defence has been a big problem for Leeds throughout the last few seasons.

Monk has also been taking a look at former Everton midfielder Leon Osman, who has not been offered a new deal at the Merseyside club, according to the Daily Mail. Osman has played his full career at Goodison Park, where he was an integral part in midfield for both David Moyes and Roberto Martinez’s sides, playing 433 games and scoring 57 goals.

Osman could bring a wealth of experience to the Yorkshire side and play a leading role in helping Leeds United’s young talented midfield trio Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt and Kalvin Phillips, further their development. Whether Monk is willing to take a gamble on Osman remains to be seen, but it would be a good signing if he could manage to pull it off.

Leeds United and Monk have also been heavily linked with Manchester United starlet Ashley Fletcher, who has reportedly turned down a new contract offer at Old Trafford. There are a number of other teams in the chase for this youngster with Barnsley, Bristol City and Wolves looking for his signature.

Most notably, though, West Ham United look set to beat off all teams, with the youngster ready to undergo a medical at the Olympic Stadium, before a proposed move is completed. Leeds United, as well as several of the other teams chasing the youngster, will be hoping Hammers boss Slaven Bilic offers Fletcher out on loan for the season to gain first-team experience.

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