Leeds United's transfer approach differs from Sunderland, Burnley and Hull but may yet pay dividends

Daniel Farke was pleased with Leeds United's summer transfer business after what he described as 'not an easy market' came to a close. The Whites brought in eight new faces to bolster their Championship promotion push this season, albeit 21 players left the club this summer.

Though the majority of those departing were been fringe players, the losses of Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Glen Kamara and Georginio Rutter would be hard felt by any club in the division. The signings of Largie Ramazani, Ao Tanaka and Manor Solomon should ease any concern about a loss of quality in the squad - in the short term at least.

“I always like if we speak about the window and where we are, I always like to to be honest and open and transparent, and then try to name the situation like it is," Farke said earlier this month. "So the task was to strengthen us on a few positions, and exactly in the positions where we needed to strengthen the group.

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"We have done the business. We got the full-back, we got the midfielder, we got two offensive options. You could still speak about potentially a traditional number 10. But it was not easy in this market. So for that, it’s good.”

Farke has spoken about his squad being on the small side, but Leeds are yet to dip their toe in the free agent market like their Championship rivals and it would be a shock if they were to do so. Burnley, Sunderland and Hull City have all made free agent signings after the window closed last month.

The Black Cats have bolstered their forward line with the signing of former Brighton striker Aaron Connolly, the Clarets signed former Sheffield United defender John Egan and the Tigers have brought in Colombian midfielder Steven Alzate. There are always question marks over players who haven't yet found a club by the time the window closes. Are they good enough? Will they be up to speed in terms of fitness? Will they improve the squad?

Leeds have not yet taken a gamble on an out of contract player, in part due to the calibre of those available. If the Whites are to realise their Premier League ambitions a free agent signing at this stage would be unlikely to deliver.

If Leeds decide to wait until January, they'll have an advantage over their rivals when it comes to FFP by avoiding any unnecessary wages for a fringe player. They certainly haven't missed the boat when you look at the business done so far.

Mateo Joseph's bright start to the season has shown the Whites are right to trust in their academy, even if Patrick Bamford's record in front of goal has been a concern. Leeds can either spend big in January, on a creative number ten to provide for the Spanish youth international, or indeed bolster their options up front.

Either way, FFP will be a defining factor.