Leeds United are going to be frantic in their attempts to secure the attacking additions that Daniel Farke has admitted are make or break, with precious little time remaining.
The Whites’ first three results have been encouraging in terms of Leeds’ prospects of being competitive in the Premier League, but what is obvious is a lack of creativity in the final third.
Daniel Farke has gone on the record at almost every opportunity since the season started to point out that he would like one or even two more attacking signings.
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Leeds United won’t be signing Bilal El Khannouss as he heads to Stuttgart
After the blow of missing out on Facundo Buonanotte on loan, The Athletic reported that Leeds had a four-man plan of action to respond to the setback.
Up first on that list in terms of interest was Leicester City’s attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, who was again out of the squad as the Foxes beat Birmingham City on Friday night.
(Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
However, the Moroccan international will not be heading to Elland Road before the deadline, as he’s already joining another club in Stuttgart, fresh from their massive Nick Woltemade windfall over the weekend.
El Khannouss is joining the Bundesliga side on a reported loan deal with an obligation to buy worth €25million (£21.66million) including add-ons – per Florian Plettenberg.
Eduard Spertsyan set to stay at Krasnodar after Leeds United interest
Another player Leeds have toyed with the idea of approaching was Krasnodar attacking midfielder and captain Edaurd Spertsyan, a talismanic star for the Russian side after his contributions last season helped his side lift the league title.
(REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov)
Again, though, Leeds look like they won’t be signing the Armenian international, who made it clear after the weekend’s game against CSKA Moscow that he won’t be leaving before the deadline, opening the door for a winter transfer instead.
“All championships are good,” Spertsyan told ARM Sport. “I want to play in the Champions League and European Cups. Southampton is a good and strong team, but many factors have to coincide. In the winter, anything is possible.”
These two names essentially removing themselves from Leeds’ shortlist leaves two: Strasbourg’s Dilane Bakwa, and Tottenham’s Manor Solomon.
Leeds United’s options are vanishing and survival chances hinge on success today
Farke has virtually said as much himself, but if Leeds cannot land a viable creative attacking player today, then their survival chances plummet drastically.
Two clean sheets from three games is impressive and a sign that Leeds can hold their own in the division, but three goalkeepers have faced Leeds and had very little to do.
That has to change with someone signed that can create chances for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and co better than the current crop.
Without that addition, optimism dwindles overnight about our ability to finish 17th.
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