Expert: Leeds United plot move to sign the next Bruno Guimaraes

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(Credit: Imago) Bruno Guimaraes: Leeds United plot move to sign ‘talismanic’ star Thu 26 March 2026 7:00, UK Leeds United plan to sign a “talismanic” player in the summer transfer window to replicate the success of the likes of Granit Xhaka and Bruno Guimaraes.Xhaka, 33, arrived at Sunderland upon their promotion to the Premier League, while Guimaraes, 28, kickstarted Newcastle’s push towards becoming European contenders.Should Leeds remain in the Premier League come the end of the season, they will look to land a big-name star who can add quality, ambition and leadership to the squad.Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Whites hope to add quality to their current reliable stars including Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu.While their current squad has been enough to place them in a strong position to achieve survival in the Premier League, Leeds are planning a busy transfer window to build on that. 🔄 Leeds United Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on latest signings, departures, and contract news from the Elland Road boardroom. VISIT THE LEEDS TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Leeds United plan to sign their own Bruno GuimaraesBrown told Football Insider earlier this month that Leeds want to build around Ampadu and add further quality to their squad around their most reliable stars.There is a growing feeling that while the players have battled well to get into this position, they lack the spark that will help them push further up the table.Newcastle UnitedBefore Signing Guimaraes (2021-22)After Signing Guimaraes (2022-23)League Position11th4thSunderlandBefore Signing XhakaAfter Signing Xhaka (2025-26)League Position4th in Championship11th*Newcastle and Sunderland league placings before and after Guimaraes/Xhaka signings. *As things stand.The arrival of a talismanic player in the mould of a Xhaka or Guimaraes, while not easy to pull off, has now emerged as a priority for Daniel Farke’s side.“Leeds have good a very solid squad at the moment,” Brown told Football Insider.“But they haven’t got any individual players who you’d say could go to a team higher up the Premier League and improve them.“Look through their squad player by player, they don’t have an outstanding name where you think, he’s going to be the one who makes or breaks their season.“A lot of their recruitment has been focused on signing solid and dependable players, but they now want to go that next step and keep pushing forward.“The likes of Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu are reliable and solid Premier League players and they’re the ones who Leeds will look to build around.“But really they want to bring in a real talismanic player, a big name who can come in and make a real difference to push them higher up the table.“Sunderland went and got Granit Xhaka, look at the difference he’s made there with his experience, quality and leadership.“Bruno Guimaraes as well at Newcastle, he took them from a good mid table Premier League side to one that is now regularly challenging for Europe.“That’s the type of player Leeds want, somebody like that to come in and make a real difference.”Leeds plan to sign new striker to partner Dominic Calvert-LewinAs part of Leeds’ efforts to add more quality to their squad in the summer transfer window, they have set their sights on the addition of a new striker.Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have been the first-choice duo under Farke but their recent goalscoring drought has led to growing concerns.Credit: ImagoFootball Insider revealed on 21 March that Leeds hope to sign a new striker to partner Calvert-Lewin and are already assessing their options.The England international has scored 10 Premier League goals for Leeds so far this season, but just one of those has come in his last nine top flight appearances.As a result, there are concerns about his consistency and ability to provide their main source of goals, with another forward being targeted to aid him. 🚨 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Leeds United Insider Access Get the full story from Elland Road and Thorp Arch with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of West Yorkshire.