5 summer window signings already made to bolster Leeds United's Championship promotion rivals

The summer transfer window may only be a few days old, but Championship clubs have already started to make progress when it comes to key signings. For Leeds United, the situation is a little complex, with accounts needing to be balanced.

Daniel Farke will have money to spend over the coming months, but while he has key areas he would like to strengthen, he also knows that he may need to address other positions depending on who leaves the club.

There have been links for incoming transfers, Josh Sargent and Joe Rodon to name but two, but even these rumours have been shrouded in a cloud of angst with Leeds being forced to sell some of their prized assets if they are to rebuild their squad due to the worrying financial situation that has followed last month’s defeat at Wembley. There will be plenty of surprises to come, but here are the big moves that have already happened in the division so far.

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Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough)

After impressing with eight assists in 19 appearances during his loan spell with Middlesbrough in the second half of last season, Boro have opted to make Luke Ayling’s contract a permanent one upon the end of his contract with Leeds.

A vital part of the promotion winning side, Ayling’s efforts in the 2019/20 season saw him earn the accolade of Championship Fans’ Player of the Year proving the type of asset Michael Carrick has acquired as he looks to break down the four point gap that separated the Teessiders from the promotion spots in 2023/24.

Delano Burgzorg (Middlesbrough)

Ayling’s arrival at the Riverside is coupled with that of Delano Burgzorg from Mainz 05, with Boro getting business done swiftly to make sure they are fighting high up the table in the coming campaign.

The 25-year-old spent last season getting used to the Championship on a loan spell at Huddersfield Town, with his seven goals not being enough to help steer the Terriers clear of the drop, but still capturing the attention of Carrick.

Jose Cordoba (Norwich City)

Norwich finished the league campaign with the fifth best attack in the division, but their defensive frailties were clear to see as they ranked 15th for goals conceded - highlighted further by Leeds 4-0 drubbing in the second leg of the play-off semi-final.

The Canaries flew in to adjust their squads and getting to work on improving their weakness, announcing the arrival of 23-year-old defender Jose Cordoba from Levski Sofia on Thursday, June 6, over a week before the transfer window opened for a believed to be around £3million.

Maxime Esteve (Burnley)

Perhaps the favourites for automatic promotion alongside Leeds, Burnley announced the first new signing of the season way back in May when they released their retained list. It confirmed that Maxime Esteve’s loan move had officially been made permanent.

The 22-year-old centre-back will arrive for a fee that is reported to be just north of £10million, and could be a key component of the Claret’s defence in the Championship. The France youth international made 15 Premier League starts for Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, and will likely prove a shrewd piece of business for whomever takes over from the Belgian at the helm.

Mike Tresor (Burnley)

Announced in a very similar ilk to Esteve, Tresor is another whose loan deal has graduated into a permanent move to Lancashire and the Belgian international winger could prove a key part of Burnley’s promotion push after making the switch from Genk.

Believed to have cost around £13million, it is another deal done early for the league winners of 2022/23 who no doubt have their eyes set on repeating the same accolade at Leeds’ expense. Though he didn’t exactly set the Premier League alight with no goals or assists, his 16 appearances add to the experience that the 25-year-old has already earned and may pay dividends in the Championship.