Expert: Leeds make 'ambitious' transfer plan after Ampadu update

Leeds United are making ambitious transfer plans ahead of the summer window as they aim to build their squad around Ethan Ampadu.

Daniel Farke’s side remain locked in a relegation battle which will prove decisive for their transfer activity, but are in a strong position to remain in the Premier League.

Keeping their best players at the club, including Ampadu, is a priority for Leeds this summer, but plans are already being put in place to add further quality around them.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Whites are hoping to be ambitious this summer and strengthen and progress their side.

In what is expected to be a busy transfer window for Leeds, there are a number of positions which have already been identified for potential improvements.

Leeds United plan to build around Ethan Ampadu

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 6 March that Leeds are planning to open talks with Ampadu over a new contract in the weeks before the season ends.

After that deal is agreed, they can shift their focus to strengthening Farke’s squad and hope to build their team around the captain should he extend his stay.

“Ampadu has been such an important player for Leeds,” Brown told Football Insider.

“He’s the type of player who is going to give you a seven or eight out of ten performance every single week, and that’s exactly what you need as a team like Leeds.

“You need consistency and reliability and he gives them both of those things, as well as his leadership which has also been massively important.

“That’s the type of player Leeds want to build their squad around, because they’ll be aware they will have to improve if they want to stay in the Premier League long-term.

“If they can get a deal agreed with Ampadu, then they can focus on bringing players in.

“They’re still not safe at the moment, but you feel there are other clubs ahead of them who could go down, so they’ll be planning for the summer.

“The key to staying in the Premier League long-term is you have to improve every year, so they’ll be looking at positions they can improve and who might be available.

“If they can add quality players to their squad around people like Ampadu and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, that’s how they can continue to impress and improve.”

Ao Tanaka update as Leeds stars’ futures in question

Ampadu is not the only player Leeds whose future is up in the air ahead of the summer transfer window, with plenty of changes ahead of the summer window.

In the process of adapting to the Premier League, Leeds have changed formations and a number of players have struggled to make the step up.

One of which is Ao Tanaka, leading to speculation that the Japan international could be allowed to leave Elland Road when the summer window opens.

However, Football Insider revealed on 7 March that Leeds are unlikely to sell Tanaka and still see him as a valuable member of Farke’s squad.

That is despite the midfielder having made just seven starts in the Premier League, while he has not featured in any of their last six league games.

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