With preparations already well underway at Leeds United for the upcoming Championship campaign, Marcelo Bielsa may have to make a decision regarding two of the club's forgotten men over the coming weeks.

According to Football Insider, Barnsley are reportedly plotting a double swoop for Mallik Wilks and Aapo Halme as boss Daniel Stendel looks to bolster his squad following the club's promotion from League One last month.

If this is indeed true and the Tykes end up putting in an offer for the duo, it is important that Bielsa considers the consequences that letting them leave could have on Leeds' fortunes next season.

Keeping this in mind, here are three reasons why we think Leeds should stand firm amid Barnsley's advances.

Wilks may prove to be the perfect replacement for Jack Clarke

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Considering that Jack Clarke is edging ever closer to a switch to Tottenham Hotspur (via BBC Sport), it would be a huge risk for Leeds to cash in on Mallik Wilks as it would leave them woefully short in the wide positions.

Utterly sublime during his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers last season, the 20-year-old was directly involved in 28 goals in all competitions for the League One side as they reached the play-off semi-finals in May.

An incredibly gifted player, Wilks seemingly has all the ingredients needed to thrive in the Championship next season and therefore Bielsa should consider giving him the opportunity to prove himself as a worthy replacement for the departing Clarke.

Halme could provide Leeds with some much-needed back-up in defence

With defensive injuries costing the Whites massively during the previous campaign, letting Halme leave could prove to be a huge mistake as there is no guarantee that they will not suffer the same issues over the coming 11 months.

Whereas the centre-back may struggle to break up the partnership between Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper, he could provide some much-needed back-up if either of the duo end up facing a considerable spell on the sidelines.

Selling the pair would only add to the supporters' current worries

With Clarke expected to leave Leeds and Kalvin Phillips reportedly being the subject of considerable interest from Aston Villa (via The Sun), selling Halme and Wilks will only alleviate the club's supporters' anxieties for the upcoming campaign.

After witnessing the Whites come so close to ending their Premier League hiatus last month, expectations will be at an all-time high for the club to achieve promotion in 2020.

However, if there is a mass exodus of players this summer, the Elland Road faithful will understandably be worried about Leeds' chances of success in the second-tier next season, especially if Bielsa is not given sufficient funds to spend by chairman Andrea Radrizzani.