While locked in an intense battle at the top of the Championship, Leeds United are looking at potential recruits ahead of the summer transfer window.
Behind the scenes, the Whites will be planning for two possible outcomes before the summer market re-opens; life in the second tier, and a return to the Premier League. The latter outcome offers the club much more wiggle room in the budget to complete big-money deals.
Currently, Daniel Farke’s men are sitting in second place, chasing down league leaders Leicester City. However, the Yorkshire outfit will be looking over their shoulders as Ipswich Town are merely a point behind and still have a game in hand.
Nevertheless, the club have still been keeping tabs on some potential summer signings to bolster the squad. One name that has been linked with a move to Elland Road this week is Cremonese midfielder Charles Pickel.
According to a report from Football Scotland, Celtic have been offered the chance to sign Pickel in the summer but there is “serious interest” from both Leeds United and fellow Championship side Preston North End, although the Scottish champions are said to be his preferred destination at this moment in time.
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Pickel currently plies his trade in Italy’s second division but still has two years remaining on his contract at Cremonese. His market value stands at £2.3 million, as per Transfermarkt, meaning any suitors would have to give an enticing offer to the Lombardy club to acquire his services.
Writer’s View
Pickel already has a bit of continental and international pedigree, having won back-to-back Swiss Super League titles during his time at Basel and having made 10 appearances for the DR Congo national team, featuring at the 2024 AFCON tournament where he started for the team that reached the semi-final of the competition.
One of the first tasks Farke completed when taking over at Leeds United in the summer was strengthening the midfield department, signing the likes of Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu and Glen Kamara so it would make sense for him to get another midfielder in should the side return to the Premier League.
