Leeds United and Daniel Farke may already be counting down the days until the January transfer window, after what was a rather disastrous deadline day.
Leeds United fans wanted so much on deadline day. But as the 7pm deadline rolled around, no new faces were arriving at Elland Road, and Daniel Farke will have been left very disappointed.
The German made it clear that he wanted more attackers bringing in but now he has to deal with what he’s got, at least until the January transfer window which now feels lightyears away.
In total, Leeds United signed 10 new players in the summer. Farke made some pretty good signings on the whole and if another attacker or two had arrived, we’d be talking about a very strong summer for the Whites.
But January might well come to the rescue for Leeds this season, with many fans now wondering where the goals will come from after Leeds United have scored just once in their opening three Premier League games.
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Leeds United discover Kalvin Phillips’ fate at Man City
Throughout the year and then going into this summer, Kalvin Phillips has been mentioned alongside a possible return to Elland Road. In fact, at the start of the summer, it was reported that Phillips was open to returning to Leeds United, though many of the Whites fanbase gave mixed opinions on Phillips potentially returning.
Having had indifferent loan spells away from City with West Ham and then Ipswich Town last season, Phillips underwent Achilles surgery in May, scuppering any hopes of a pre-season and of leaving the club.
But ESPN now write that, whilst Phillips is set to stay with Man City until the January transfer window, it’s likely he’ll be moved on in the winter window. Whether that be another loan or a permanent move remains to be seen, though.
Kalvin Phillips’ career so far Games Goals Assists
Leeds 234 14 13
Man City 31 1 –
Ipswich 22 1 –
West Ham 10 – –
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Leeds United made checks on Kalvin Phillips ahead of deadline day
Phillips is on the mend at Man City. When he’s expected back and available for first-team action remains unclear, and it seems unlikely that Pep Guardiola would consider a return for the midfielder anyway.
But speaking to Leeds United News ahead of deadline day, transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed that the 29-year-old Phillips was still on Leeds United’s radar and that City had considered paying off the rest of his three-year contract at the Etihad.
Bailey explained: “Leeds are keeping very close checks on Kalvin Phillips – am told that Man City might be trying to pay up his contract – there is still a good chance he ends up at Elland Road.”
For Leeds, if Phillips is suddenly released by January, and Farke still doesn’t have the likes of Ethan Ampadu back from injury, and should one or two others become injured, a hasty return for Phillips could be a good bet.
It would have to be a cost-effective move for Leeds though, as Phillips has been earning huge money at Man City.