Leeds United are going into another crucial transfer window with the lessons of yesteryear at the forefront of their minds. In 2021, after Marcelo Bielsa guided the club to ninth in the Premier League, only two additions were made to the squad.Daniel James and Junior Firpo were added to a unit that had run itself into the ground after three years of gut-busting brilliance under the Argentinian. It was stretched too far, leading to Bielsa’s sacking and the club surviving relegation by the skin of its teeth in 2022.While chairman Paraag Marathe was not in charge five years ago, he was on the board and saw first-hand how damaging that summer’s business proved to be. Now, with a similarly encouraging 14th-place finish behind Daniel Farke’s team, tough decisions are needed on how it is retooled for 2026-27.With that in mind, The Athletic has carried out an audit of the first-team squad. This factors in the various loan deals that will have concluded by June 30 and those players returning to their parent clubs.GoalkeepersKarl Darlow Age: 35
Contract expires: Summer 2026For the second season in a row, Darlow began as a backup and ended as Farke’s first choice. Club sources, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, have intimated the wider goalkeeping picture is uncertain.Whether Darlow continues as No 1 or reverts to a reserve role, putting a new contract in front of him is the priority. His ambitions will be central to what happens next.Farke is direct and honest with players over contracts and playing expectations. Darlow will not be left in the dark about what to expect if he does sign a new contract and if that is as a backup, he would be forgiven for considering alternative options.The hope has to be he stays at the club and backs himself to prove he is the best stopper. His form at the end of last season has given the top brass so much to think about.Lucas Perri Age: 28
