Despite the disappointing departure of Garry Monk of late, Leeds United remain in a strong position to challenge for automatic promotion next season.

Still, to sustain an automatic promotion bid and go one step further than last season - where the Whites just missed out on the Play-Offs - the West Yorkshire giants will have to strengthen their squad once again this summer.

Although Monk's replacement has yet to be found, the foundations he laid has left a solid from which the new manager to come in and build upon, with Massimo Cellino also finally gone.

Indeed, one player who may be of interest to Leeds this summer is fan favourite Max Gradel. The Ivorian international made over 80 appearances for Leeds United before moving to Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne in the summer of 2011, going on to enjoy a good time of things in France.

Since returning to England, however, the Ivory Coast star has struggled. Eddie Howe brought the lightning quick winger to the south coast, though injuries - including a cruciate ligament tear - have seen him fall out of favour.

Having fallen down the pecking order behind Ryan Fraser and Jordan Ibe, Gradel made just eleven Premier League appearances last season, ten of which were off the bench.

With the 29-year-old winger previously reported to have been unhappy as he has drifted to the outer margins of Bournemouth's squad, a number of Championship clubs would benefit from his potential arrival.

If Gradel (rated at £5.95m on Transfermarkt) is to drop down a division in search of regular first-team action, he may look no further than Leeds United, the place where he had the most successful period of his career.

With Leeds seemingly on the up under the new ownership of Andrea Radrizanni and Leeds United fans dreaming of a return to the Premier League, the signing of Max Gradel, a player with known quality particularly at the Championship level could be one of the first signings that can make that dream become a reality.

Leeds United fans, would you welcome the return of Max Gradel? Would he prove to be a significant improvement to the side? Can you see this move happening? Let us hear your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below!