Leeds United chiefs are hoping that they will not need to utilise the January transfer market next year but there could be a circumstance where they have no choice.
One goal from four Premier League games and none at all from open play has stirred worry among supporters about attacking options. Daniel Farke had already underlined the need for more offensive players before deadline day, in vain.
Leeds were frustrated not to land, in their eyes, the final piece of the jigsaw but Farke has since underlined that United are lacking quality in the final third.
The club have maxed out PSR spending so spending in January will have to be coupled with a sale. Here are three issues Leeds could sort in January.
Signing another attacker
It might be that Leeds are still struggling to find the net and need a difference-maker. Speaking to local journalists after promotion in May, chairman Paraag Marathe said: “I don’t want to deal with relegation”, after vowing that the club will spend every penny it can in the window.
Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United
Paraag Marathe, chairman of Leeds United (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Leeds may be up to the limit when it comes to PSR, but they may have to make the ground move. Farke hinted that Illan Meslier was kept on in part because of Lucas Perri’s quad issue but he will surely be gone in January.
Even if Leeds get a minimal amount, it is better than losing him for nothing next summer. That would open up space for a loan signing.
If a purchase is needed then a sale of a fringe player may be in order - or possibly the early activation of a buy-out clause in Isaac Schmidt’s loan deal. That seems like wishful thinking, though.
Leeds can still sell in the summer period before the new PSR cycle begins on July 1 so it is possible a player comes in without an outgoing initially. But that places pressure to sell quickly in a post-season that includes a World Cup.
Contracts
From January 1, those out of contract in the summer can speak to overseas clubs. This includes Meslier and the danger here is that he agrees pre-contract terms with a club and Leeds are not able to sell.
Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns are also out of contract, as is Sam Byram - though it is hard to see any of the trio, all over the age of 32, being courted by overseas suitors. The main point here is looking at those whose contracts expire in 2027.
Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk, Joel Piroe, Brenden Aaronson, Ilia Gruev and Lukas Nmecha all fall into this category. Ampadu is arguably the only one who is currently indispensable.
Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu
Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu (Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Therefore, Leeds may wish to avoid a situation where the 25-year-old enters the final year of his contract and thereby attract interest around his future. For the others, the need is not so great to tie them down given their ambiguous roles going forward.
Loans for youngsters
The decision to keep the likes of Sam Chambers and Rhys Chadwick in house is understandable. They are currently in an environment where they are training with Premier League players, which will only elevate their skill levels.
Off-field impacts such as professionalism, dedication and drive play into this too. Witnessing first hand what it takes can only be a good thing.
However, it may get to a stage where senior football is a good next step, especially in light of that the fact even in the opening round of the League Cup none of these youngsters were named in the senior squad.
Sam Chambers signs on until 2028
Sam Chambers signs on until 2028 (Image: Leeds United FC)
Chambers and Chadwick, both 18, could be useful additions for lower league clubs who need holes to plug for the second half of the season. It would be a surprise to see Harry Gray, still 16 for another few weeks, be loaned out given his tender age.
Gray has obvious talent but Leeds are keen to shield him from the pressure and limelight of his surname and Farke has made it known he will not speak about him again publicly until he plays for the senior side.
Allowing him to be loaned would see Leeds lose control of that. But the other pair find themselves in a different scenario and could well leave on for experience.
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