Leeds United will already be putting plans in place for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Those in the Whites’ recruitment team will need to be prepared for two potential eventualities in the coming weeks, with it still uncertain what division Leeds will be in next season.
Leeds currently sit second in the Championship with just two matches to play, but are only a point ahead of Ipswich Town, who also have a game in hand.
An immediate return to the Premier League would setup a potentially exciting summer at Elland Road. The squad would need to be strengthened, and it would also be the first window for 49ers Enterprises to go and flex their financial muscle without the restrictions of the EFL.
On the other hand, staying in the Championship would like lead to the sale of key players. Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Willy Gnonto are just some of those likely to attract interest and command big money.
Leeds released their accounts earlier this month and though they are compliant with PSR rules, it did show they owe £190 million to other clubs in unpaid transfer instalments. Remaining in the Championship without sales would simply make that figure unsustainable.
Leeds should launch move for Karamoko Dembele this summer
If Summerville and Gnonto were to go, that would, of course, require Leeds to look at some potential replacements.
Jaidon Anthony is also likely to return to Bournemouth after his loan spell, meaning even if Leeds did get promoted and keep their two young stars, another winger could be on the agenda.
Gnonto and Dan James have both been brilliant during their spells in the team on the right-wing, but Leeds do not currently have a left-footed player in the squad whose favourite position is that position on the pitch. It is why they looked at both Manuel Benson and David Brooks in January.
With that in mind, one player Leeds should look to target this summer regardless of the division they are in is Karamoko Dembele, who has spent this season on loan at Blackpool, from Brest.
As a teenager, Dembele was regarded as one of Europe’s top wonderkids. Having lost his way a bit previously, he has shown signs of that potential at Bloomfield Road.
The 21-year-old has scored seven goals and provided 13 assists, and is a player Leeds have actually scouted this season, alongside Leicester City, Southampton and other Premier League clubs.
As per Sofa Score, he is one of the best dribblers in League One and just seems to have been getting better and better as the season has gone on.
If Leeds were to stay in the Championship, he could stake a claim as an instant starter, while in the Premier League, he could be bedded in to learn from the likes of Summerville and Gnonto.