Published Aug 22, 2026, 7:10 AM GMT+1

Daniel Farke has been heavily backed with over £85m worth of additions to date, with the 49ers improving three of the club’s most important areas throughout the summer.

However, big spending leads to increased expectations from the supporters, who will be hoping to kickstart the season with a win at Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

Beating Oliver Glasner’s side during his first game at the helm will be a tough task, but who should get the nod to start the clash in the East Midlands this afternoon?

How Leeds’ front line should line up against Forest

After his free transfer from Fulham earlier in the summer, attacker Harry Wilson is likely to start the clash and make his first competitive appearance for Leeds.

The Welshman, who’s been handed the number ten shirt, has huge expectations on him to succeed this term, after Farke’s men continuously tried to secure his signature in previous windows.

His tally of 10 goals last season could see him inject needed quality into the club’s frontline, which could also see him partner Brenden Aaronson in one of the two number ten positions.

The American penned a new contract in Yorkshire on Thursday night, subsequently extending his stay at the Whites until the summer of 2029 at the very least.

After featuring in all but one league game last term, it’s evident Farke sees the 25-year-old as a key first-team member, with another start expected for the talented attacker this afternoon.

The aforementioned pair will likely be joined by last season’s top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who will be looking to reach the next level and better his tally of 14 league goals from last term.

One of his efforts came against today’s opponents, with the fanbase and Farke hoping he can repeat such a feat to help the club achieve a winning start to the 2026/27 campaign.

How Leeds can land a star who'd cause chaos with Calvert-Lewin

Despite being less than two weeks remaining in the summer transfer window, Leeds are still stepping up their efforts to land added reinforcements to aid Farke in his quest for success.

Marseille attacker Igor Paixao continues to be touted with a move to Elland Road, with the Whites previously trying to sign him whilst he was a Feyenoord player.

He’s not the forward-thinking option currently in the hierarchy’s sights, as AC Milan star Rafael Leão has once again appeared towards the top end of their shortlist.

It’s been reported by Football Insider that Farke’s men are still said to be eyeing a move for the Portuguese international, who looks certain to depart the San Siro.

They claim the Whites have previously been offered a deal for the 27-year-old, but teams in Saudi Arabia and Turkey continue to monitor a possible transfer.

Other reports have also doubled down on the club’s interest in the attacking star and have claimed that a figure in the region of £35m would be needed to complete a deal.

It’s unthinkable that a player of Leao’s quality could be linked with a move to join Farke’s side, but it appears as though a move could be a distinct possibility before the deadline.

His stats from last season in Serie A certainly make for excellent reading, with many of his figures highlighting how he can help Calvert-Lewin reach the next level in Yorkshire.

Leao managed to complete an impressive 84% of passes he attempted in Serie A, whilst also registering an average of 1.8 successful dribbles per 90.

He often added the end product to his mazy runs in Italy, subsequently achieving a 44% cross success rate - ranking him above 88% of other forwards in Europe.

Such numbers would be music to the ears of Calvert-Lewin, who could further dominate in the air after netting three of his 14 league goals with his head last campaign.

Leao’s tally of 0.5 big chances per 90 was also higher than 91% of other wingers across Europe - further demonstrating the constant threat he poses and backing Luka Modric’s claim that he’s “one of the best in the world.”

His constant running, coupled with the Englishman’s deadly finishing ability, could be a match made in heaven for Farke as he looks to lead the Whites to success this term.

£35m for a player of Portuguese star’s calibre would be a phenomenal piece of business and one which could inject the needed quality over quantity the hierarchy are on the hunt for this window.

He and Calvert-Lewin could form a deadly partnership at Elland Road - which could allow for European football to return to Yorkshire in the 2027/28 campaign.