It is the first of July and the official start of the free agent transfer chase for Leeds United as contracts expire and stars are free to explore moves to other clubs.

The Whites are already on the verge of snapping up a player on a free transfer, as they have agreed a five-year contract with Wales international Harry Wilson.

His contract with Premier League side Fulham expired on Wednesday, after he opted against putting pen to paper on a new deal at Craven Cottage, and that has freed him up to move to West Yorkshire.

All that is left now is for Daniel Farke's side to officially confirm the signing ahead of his involvement in pre-season before the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.

The left-footed star is due to arrive as an experienced and proven star because he scored ten goals and provided seven assists in the top-flight for Fulham last season.

Leeds United are in talks to sign Bundesliga star

At the age of 29, Wilson is unlikely to be a player who is sold on for big money in the future, which means that he is not being brought in for potential profit, but rather an instant impact on the pitch.

Now, before the Welshman has even been officially confirmed, the club are already looking at another star who could arrive as their next version of the ex-Fulham man.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United remain interested in a deal to sign Julian Brandt after his exit from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Whites are in ongoing talks with the Germany international and his representatives over a potential move to Elland Road in the coming weeks.

It adds that there are a host of other teams in the race to sign the 30-year-old star on a free transfer, and that he has the option to pursue a club with European football to offer next season.

However, it is further revealed that Leeds are hopeful that they can do enough to convince him to make the move to the Premier League this summer to bolster Farke's squad.

Why Julian Brandt would be Leeds United's next Harry Wilson

The obvious connection between Wilson and Brandt is that they would both arrive at Elland Road as free transfers after their contracts with Fulham and Dortmund both expired at the start of this month.

Whilst that is one reason why the 48-cap German star would be the club's next version of Wilson, the main similarity between the two players is the intention behind both deals.

After securing survival with a 14th-place finish in the Premier League last term, Leeds are looking to add proven quality to their squad to ensure that they kick on and do not suffer from second season syndrome in the top-flight.

Both Wilson and Brandt would join as players who delivered quality in a major European league in the 2025/26 campaign, as they impressed in the Premier League and the Bundesliga.

Just as the Welshman caught the eye with his performances for Fulham, the German star hit double figures for goal contributions for Dortmund in the league.

At the age of 30, Brandt is another player who would not join with a view to being sold for a huge profit in the future, but would be a signing who could make an instant impact on the pitch to help Leeds kick on in the Premier League.

Whilst the Whites should still be looking for younger players who can develop and potentially be sold for profit as part of their player trading model, they also need stars who can perform in the here and now.

That is why Wilson and Brandt are important signings for the next phase of Leeds' Premier League journey, because they can help the team to avoid relegation once again, setting up the platform for the team to push further up the table in the future.

Hopefully, the Whites will be able to convince the former Dortmund attacking midfielder to make the move to Elland Road after finalising their move for Wilson.