Leeds United shirt numbers available to Rodon and transfer targets with Byram move possible

Summer brings with it a revolving door at most football clubs. Leeds United are expected to have another busy transfer window after failing to clinch promotion last month.

Another campaign in the Championship inevitably brings personal ambitions to the surface. There will be players who do not want to spend another year in the second tier and there will be those Daniel Farke would also rather see move on before August 30.

Some sales will be required and reinforcements will be needed ahead of the big kick-off on August 10. The make-up of how the squad looks now will be so different by the end of the window.

READ MORE: Leeds United sign off on new deals at Elland Road with pictures of fresh talent

We pick through the available squad numbers to new signings based on last season’s list and the likely vacancies that may yet crop up as this window progresses.

No.2

Held down by Luke Ayling for nearly eight years, the shirt synonymous with right-backs will finally be up for grabs this summer. Ironically, Sam Byram was the last person to wear it before Ayling and could be tempted to shift back down to it from 25 this summer.

If the 30-year-old does not fancy the move, it seems sensible for Farke to be eyeing up another right-back this summer and they may fancy it after they have signed.

No.6

Liam Cooper may yet decide to sign a new contract with the Whites and retain the shirt he has owned for nine years, but his exit seems more likely on June 30. That would free up an iconic shirt in the ranks, worn by Jason Pearce and Granddi Ngoyi before it came to Cooper.

Pascal Struijk, who will be in pole position to take the armband if Cooper leaves, could well take his shirt as one of next term’s starting centre-backs. If not, Leeds do seem to need at least one new central defender this summer.

No.11

It’s Jack Harrison’s if he returns, but of all the loanees set to return, he seems the least likely to play in the Championship next season. LeedsLive understands he is one of two players with loan clauses still active because of the club’s second-tier status.

Brenden Aaronson will be tempted, given Joel Piroe has taken the seven. If not, might Georginio Rutter or Wilfried Gnonto like an upgrade for sticking around this summer?

No.12

Moving away from the most desired shirt numbers, the 12 has had brief stays on the backs of Tyler Adams and Jaidon Anthony in recent seasons. Laurens De Bock and Marcus Antonsson didn’t have long with it either.

No.14

Joe Rodon is the man virtually every United supporter would like to see back in it next season after his outstanding loan. Diego Llorente earned fewer admirers in it before Rodon came in. Eddie Nketiah and Samuel Saiz had it before them.

No.15

Another shirt that has been out of bounds for several years will be back on the market this summer. Stuart Dallas’s retirement could see a new owner for the first time since Scott Wootton in 2014/15.

No.17

Like Cooper, Jamie Shackleton could yet stick around, but the smart money says he starts anew in fresh surroundings. This shirt did not get much love during Massimo Cellino’s tenure because he saw it as unlucky. Well, Helder Costa did not see much joy in it when he eventually brought it in from the cold.

No.18

Few players can claim to have won this shirt with the same distinction as Raphinha in his first season at Elland Road. Could be available this summer if Darko Gyabi does not stay and fight for his place under Farke.

No.19

Sam Greenwood is another who may yet stick or twist this summer after a loan exit. A shirt forever synonymous with Pablo Hernandez and that sunny afternoon in Swansea.

No.23

Vacant after Luis Sinisterra’s departure, the 23 has had some high-profile owners in recent years. Kalvin Phillips took it all the way to England duty, while Lewis Cook and Robert Snodgrass previously impressed.

No.26

Lewis Bate was the first occupant in a long while, going back to Liam Bridcutt in 2017/18. Available again with the former Chelsea youth bound for the exit door after his contract expires.

No.27

Alex Mowatt stands out as one of the more eye-catching wearers of recent times. Neither Ian Poveda, deprived of his original number seven, nor Amari Miller did anything of note in it.