Go back even five years, and most Leeds United fans had accepted the Championship was the present and future of the club. Progress on the pitch was minimal, with a dour playing squad and precious little in the way of reasons to feel optimistic.

When Crystal Palace were in need of striking options in early 2021, they turned to Mainz. The German club were looking for a stable solution for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The former Lyon man had enjoyed a successful, if inconsistent, time in the German top-flight. However, an 18-month loan deal was agreed with the Eagles, with Palace able to buy the striker outright for a fee of around £13m.