If Leeds United are plotting for January transfers to bolster Daniel Farke’s squad, then the Premier League loan market is sure to be under consideration already.
The Whites are going to be confident of their chances of retaining a top two place when the new year rolls around, and then comes the opportunity to bolster the squad further to stay there for the rest of the season.
Money is very rarely well spent by clubs on permanent deals in the January window, so loan agreements are likely the best course of action for Leeds, in particular from their Premier League counterparts who can’t find playing time for certain options for one reason or another.
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Here, we look at three Premier League players Leeds could try to sign on loan in the new year, based on their situations at current clubs…
Striker: Marc Guiu – Chelsea
Leeds fans would welcome a new striker signing in the new year to add another dimension to the selection debate that Farke doesn’t seem to have a clear-cut solution to.
Mateo Joseph’s compatriot Marc Guiu represents an opportunity to land someone no doubt hungry for playing time that doesn’t look like ever coming for Chelsea outside of against minnows in the Europa Conference League.
The 18-year-old Spaniard boasts an imposing figure for his age and could do with further experience to continue developing, which could come at Leeds.
He wouldn’t be heavily relied on to start in the Championship, but coming to Elland Road would allow the very talented forward to get more league minutes than he gets at Chelsea, in a Premier League matchday squad just three times this season.
Attacking midfield – Emi Buendia
We’re going to keep banging the drum on this one because as much as Angus Kinnear and the club were told that Emi Buendia believes he’s done his time in the Championship, he’s not exactly playing at a level that suggests he’s above dropping into the second tier.
The Argentine is still working his way back to peak form and fitness following an ACL injury in August 2023, and Unai Emery doesn’t appear willing to be giving him the minutes that he needs to recapture the brilliance of his stint at Norwich City.
Incidentally, the manager who has got the best out of Buendia’s career to date is the man in the Leeds dugout, surely a contributing factor to any attempts Leeds might make.
It’s fair to say that Buendia would have no trouble slotting into the current setup at Leeds, and would be the missing piece of the puzzle.
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?
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Centre-back: Armel Bella-Kotchap – Southampton
If Leeds are being greedy and look for one more signing, a right-sided centre-back might be the way to go to ensure they are well covered behind Joe Rodon, as Ethan Ampadu steps up his recovery as a midfielder by trade – therefore hopefully not required in defence.
Loaning a centre-back as backup in the Championship is a hard sell for many players, but someone who is no doubt eager to get out of his current club is Southampton’s Armel Bella-Kotchap, who left on loan after they were relegation and has been frozen out of their squad ever since.
A dependable player with the ball at his feet and standing at 6ft3in, he’s someone that would certainly be able to step into the Leeds back four if needed.
There’s a rehabilitation job to do with Bella-Kotchap, but getting out of Southampton is his first priority and a loan-to-buy to Leeds might be viable to bulk up the squad for the long-term.