Leeds United have unsurprisingly been linked with a move to sign Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry, whose Stockport County loan looks set to be terminated in January ahead of a Championship loan.
The Whites have one eye on January at the moment and it’s no shock to see links already emerging to several players in different positions.
In attack, Leeds could perhaps do with one more addition after failed attempts in August to land some key targets.
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Leeds latest club ‘linked’ with Aston Villa talent Louie Barry
Stockport County have enjoyed the brilliant form of Aston Villa talent Louie Barry this season, the top scorer in League One so far off the left wing.
However, his form has prompted his parent club to consider terminating his loan in order to ship him out to the division above in the Championship, to which several clubs have been linked.
TEAMtalk have now claimed that Leeds are one of the clubs keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, amidst an imminent tussle for his signature in the new year.
However, it’s not a link that makes a lot of sense for Leeds, given the profile of Barry and the attackers that Leeds already have in their squad.
A left-sided right-footed attacker, Barry would come to Leeds and instantly find himself fighting for involvement alongside Largie Ramazani, Willy Gnonto and Manor Solomon.
Instead, we look at two EFL options that would make much more sense in this Leeds squad…
Million Manhoef – Stoke City
Instead of a right-footed left-winger to add to that already clustered part of the squad for Leeds, a left-footed right-winger would actually be a really viable solution.
There isn’t a huge pool of talent from the Championship that’s worth considering, and League One’s obvious option Kwame Poku has undergone hamstring surgery to rule him out of leaving, but one that would be a viable solution is Stoke City’s Million Manhoef.
He’s notched three goals and three assists in a poor Stoke City side this season, just about to turn 23 in January, so has plenty of time to continue improving.
Should he be put into a side that dominates more of the ball, with more support from a full-back and the rest of the attack, you’d imagine he’d have the ability to add much more in the final third.
Which position do Leeds need to strengthen most in January?
Striker
Striker
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Attacking midfielder (no10)
Attacking midfielder (no10)
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Centre-back
Centre-back
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Other?
Other?
Vote
Rubin Colwill – Cardiff City
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Again, a left-footer should be the focus if Leeds pursue an attacking midfielder in the new year, and a unique profile they could explore from Championship rivals is Cardiff City’s Rubin Colwill.
Standing at just over 6ft2in, Colwill doesn’t the typical attacking midfielder’s frame, but demonstrates ability to carry the ball needed in tight spaces high up the field and can strike it better than most in the division on either foot:
Despite Cardiff being frankly woeful this season, Colwill has still managed a goal and four assists – more assists than any Leeds player that isn’t Willy Gnonto.
The addition of some height to the side wouldn’t go amiss too with the current diminutive setup behind our starting strikers, as well as the ability to find the net from outside the box.