Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has predicted a "difficult" summer transfer window for the club following their failure to earn promotion from the Championship.

The Whites were competing for automatic promotion all season and needed to settle for a top-six place following a poor late-season run, but they crashed out of the play-offs against Derby County last week.

This now leaves the club facing a summer of uncertainty with Marcelo Bielsa's future still hanging in the balance, and a number of key senior figures have been linked with moves away from Elland Road.

These include Kalvin Phillips who has been linked with the likes of Norwich and Southampton, while tricky winger Jack Clarke has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur, according to Football Insider.

The failure to achieve top-flight status after such a promising season will leave a number of Leeds stars assessing their options, as the likes of Phillips and Clarke will inevitably be aiming for Premier League football in the near future.

Radrizzani has now offered his honest verdict in the early stages of the transfer window, claiming that Leeds may face significant challenges in their transfer business this summer.

“We will have to run a difficult summer in terms of transfer market but we have a great academy,” Radrizzani told the Daily Mail.

The Verdict

These comments may come as a worry to Leeds fans, as they would have been hoping the club could build on the progress made this season with a positive summer of recruitment.

However, it should also come as no surprise that Leeds' brightest talent is attracting the interest of Premier League clubs given their performances this season.

Radrizzani must ensure the club delivers the right balance between transfer sales to raise funds and keeping the core of the squad together.