The new Leeds United target has already hinted that he does not want to move to the Championship

But while there will still be the obvious sense of disappointment, those behind the scenes will have been hard at work to ensure Leeds can go one better next term.

With that in mind, Leeds didn’t have time to feel bad for themselves, so some key decisions were already made during that time at Wembley.

Since chairman Paraag Marathe’s upbeat interview for next season came to light, a lucrative sponsorship deal with Red Bull has been announced, Sam Byram has signed a new contract and Brenden Aaronson looks set to return to Elland Road.

New Leeds target Couhaib Driouech has already dropped a hint about his future

While all of those aforementioned decisions are steps in the right direction, it will ultimately be new signings that will gain momentum among supporters.

Leeds have already been linked with a number of players before the window opens, with Chelsea’s Alfie Gilchrist and Fulham’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid mentioned as possible targets.

And there was a new name to add to the list this morning with Excelsior winger Couhaib Driouech reportedly on the radar of a number of clubs, including Leeds and Victor Orta’s Sevilla.

Driouech has actually been the subject of a lot of interest from PSV already this summer, but negotiations will be deadlocked despite being his preferred destination.

The 22-year-old was also wanted by fellow Championship side Swansea City in the January window but opted to stay at relegated Excelsior instead.

In an interview with Ziggo Sport: Kick ‘t Met, via Voetbal, in March, Driouech was actually asked about his decision to stay in Holland during the winter.

Driouech claimed he did not see Swansea or any of the other interested clubs as the “next step” in his career, which could be a potential indication that he will not be moving to the Championship.

He said: “We canceled foreign clubs because we preferred to stay in Holland. Clubs came from England, France and Italy. It involved four clubs: Lorient, Swansea City, Como and Lecce. I didn’t see it as the right next step.”

Excelsior’s relegation could help Leeds’ pursuit of Driouech

Things can happen very quickly in football and so after Excelsior’s relegation to the second tier of Dutch football, it may force them to rethink.

A move to Leeds would now be very much a step up in quality, if it wasn’t already, and could actually be a logical step in his development.

With Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto promoted for exits alongside Jaidon Anthony this summer, Leeds could need at least two inside.

As a right-footed player who plays from the left, Driouech would fit the bill and so it will be interesting to see if he would turn down a move to Leeds should the opportunity arise.