Leeds United Set to Make a Statement with Otar Kiteishvili Move as Premier League Preparations Begin
Leeds United are wasting no time in setting the wheels in motion for what promises to be one of the most important summer transfer windows in recent club history. After securing promotion from the Championship under the guidance of Daniel Farke, the club is fully aware that survival in the Premier League will require more than just momentum and fan support — it will demand experience, tactical quality, and smart, impactful additions to the squad.
As the Elland Road faithful celebrate a long-awaited return to top-flight football, the club’s focus has shifted sharply to squad strengthening. The Premier League has proven itself to be one of the most ruthless leagues in the world, and recent history shows that simply reaching the summit is no guarantee of staying there. Alarmingly, all six of the last promoted teams over the past two seasons have suffered immediate relegation, serving as a stark warning for Farke and his staff.
Recognising the need for both depth and quality across the pitch, Leeds are targeting multiple areas for reinforcement. However, central midfield has emerged as a clear priority. The loss of key loan players — notably Joe Rothwell, who returns to his parent club after a useful stint in West Yorkshire — has left a noticeable void in the middle of the park. The club also said goodbye to Manor Solomon, another loanee who played a role in Leeds’ promotion charge. With options thinning and a long, physically demanding campaign ahead, the midfield engine room is in urgent need of reinforcements.
In response, Leeds United have entered discussions with Sturm Graz over the potential signing of Otar Kiteishvili, a 29-year-old Georgian international who recently helped his side to a historic Austrian Bundesliga title. According to Austrian publication Krone Zeitung, the midfielder is expected to leave Sturm Graz this summer in what they describe as a “shocking” transfer. Despite putting pen to paper on a new contract in January, Kiteishvili is said to be keen on pursuing a move to a “top league” — with England high on his list of potential destinations.
Leeds are not alone in their interest, with fellow promoted sides Burnley and Sunderland also reportedly keeping tabs on the midfielder. However, the ambition Leeds have shown so far, both on and off the pitch, could give them an edge in the race for Kiteishvili’s signature. The player himself is believed to be intrigued by the Premier League challenge, and his current club is reluctantly preparing for his departure.
Kiteishvili is widely regarded as one of the standout talents in Austrian football, having built a reputation as a dynamic, technically gifted, and intelligent central midfielder. His performances for Sturm Graz have consistently drawn praise, and his contribution to their recent title-winning campaign only added to his growing stock. Known for his vision, ball control, and ability to dictate the rhythm of play, Kiteishvili could bring precisely the kind of quality that Leeds’ midfield needs heading into a brutal Premier League schedule.
His versatility is another significant asset. Kiteishvili is comfortable playing in a deeper-lying playmaker role or further up the pitch as a more attack-minded central midfielder. He can link play between defense and attack, break opposition lines with clever passing, and chip in with goals when needed. For a Leeds side that may spend long periods under pressure against more established top-flight teams, having a midfielder with composure and the ability to control tempo could be a game-changer.
Beyond his club performances, Kiteishvili is an experienced international with Georgia, and his leadership qualities have often been noted by both teammates and coaches. He brings a maturity and professionalism that would make him a valuable presence in the dressing room — especially for a squad that will include younger, less experienced players facing the Premier League for the first time.
Leeds’ current midfield options are limited. While Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev are expected to stay at the club and play important roles next season, the drop-off in depth is a concern. Injuries, suspensions, and the demands of playing high-intensity football week in and week out will stretch the squad to its limits. Farke will also want to use players like Ethan Ampadu in multiple positions, including center-back, which makes having more midfield specialists a necessity.
Kiteishvili’s arrival would give Leeds much-needed balance in midfield, allowing Tanaka and Gruev to play more freely and reducing the tactical rigidity that limited the side at times during the Championship campaign. His ability to progress the ball through midfield with poise and purpose could also ease the transition to a league where possession is often at a premium.
Beyond his technical qualities, this transfer would send a powerful message. Signing a player of Kiteishvili’s calibre — someone sought after by multiple clubs, and coming directly from a title-winning side in a European league — would underline Leeds’ ambition to not just survive in the Premier League, but to compete. It would signal that the club is ready to break from the cycle of promotion and relegation and establish itself once again among the elite.
From a financial standpoint, the deal could also represent good value. Although he recently extended his contract, the Austrian market typically doesn’t command the inflated transfer fees seen in other European leagues. For a club like Leeds, which must balance ambition with sustainability, this kind of strategic signing makes perfect sense.
As the summer window officially approaches, fans will be watching closely to see how negotiations progress. If Leeds can get this deal over the line, it may prove to be one of the smartest pieces of business they make all summer. More importantly, it could be the cornerstone upon which a successful survival — and eventual resurgence — in the Premier League is built.