EXCLUSIVE: Ross Barkley, James Milner, Ben Johnson, Ola Aina and seven other Premier League free agents Leeds could sign if promoted to top flight this season

Leeds United still have high hopes of winning promotion back to the Premier League this season

With one regular season fixture remaining, it’s fair to say Leeds United’s chances of winning automatic promotion look slim. It’s still a possibility but in order to sneak into the top two, they need to beat Southampton on the final day and hope Huddersfield Town beat Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

As such, it seems more likely that Leeds will be going down the play-off route and while the Whites don’t have the best play-off record, they’ll surely fancy their chances of getting over the line at Wembley Stadium on May 26 and joining champions Leicester City back in the top flight.

Promotion would certainly see Leeds shopping in a different pool of players when it comes to recruitment this summer and with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of the current Premier League players who could be available on free transfers to the Whites, should they go up.

1) Ben Johnson (West Ham United)

Leeds showed loan interest in the West Ham full-back in January and they have already been linked with potential summer interest. Johnson has struggled for regular minutes at the London Stadium and he’ll be looking to be a key man at his next club after reportedly turning down contract offers to stay with the Hammers.

2) Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)

The full-back is coming to the end of his current contract at the City Ground and while the club do have the option of another year, his future may depend on whether Forest can avoid relegation. Aina has made 20 appearances for the club this season, splitting his time between right-back and left-back, two positions that Leeds will be looking to recruit in.

3) James Milner (Brighton)

The Leeds United academy graduate is coming to the end of his Brighton deal and that opens up the possibility of an emotional return to Elland Road, if the 38-year-old feels he has one more year left in him.

4) Oliver McBurnie (Sheffield United)

McBurnie managed to score six goals in 21 Premier League appearances for the struggling Blades this season. He was on the books at Leeds as a schoolboy and given the opportunity he might jump at the chance to represent his hometown team.

5) Kenny Tete (Fulham)

Another right-back who Leeds could look at to fill a hole within their squad. Tete has been in and out of the Fulham side this season but certainly has the pedigree and talent required to perform to a high level in the Premier League.

6) Charlie Taylor (Burnley)
Another Leeds academy graduate, United have been linked with a move for Taylor this season. But, it seems they could have the opportunity to sign the left-back on a free this summer, should his Burnley deal be allowed to expire.

7) Bobby De Cordova-Reid (Fulham)
The 31-year-old would be a fine addition for any lower half Premier League side this summer. The winger has been a regular under Marco Silva this season, bagging six goals in 30 appearances, but he could be allowed to leave the club on a free.

8) Michail Antonio (West Ham)
The forward has had his injury troubles this season but when he’s fit, more often than not he plays. Antonio is 34, but the experience he has to offer could make him a wanted man this summer, should the Hammers let him go.

9) Will Hughes (Crystal Palace)
The 29-year-old midfielder has been a regular at Crystal Palace since joining from Watford in 2021, but his contract has been allowed to tick down and he could be allowed to leave on a free transfer.

10) Ross Barkley (Luton Town)
Arguably Luton Town’s best player so far this season, Barkley’s return to Premier League football has been a huge success with the technically gifted midfielder showcasing the kind of form that made him a household name in the earlier in his career.

The midfielder would however be out of contract this summer although the Hatters are desperately trying to tie him down to a new deal. Luton are still in the shout for a return to the Premier League next season but Leeds could swoop in and sign the midfielder on a free should Rob Edwards side lose that battle.