It’s deadline day, and having missed out on Facundo Buonanotte a couple of days prior, Leeds United and Adam Underwood are thwarted in their attempts to sign Harry Wilson from Fulham.
Earlier on in the window, Leeds had moved big for Igor Paixao. The Whites had a £30m bid accepted for Paixao by Feyenoord, but eventually, the Brazilian would go and join Champions League side Marseille.
While that one was ambitious, Buonanotte and Wilson were realistic. He is said to have agreed to join Leeds, but Chelsea hijacked a move and Buonanotte changed course to west London instead of Leeds.
Which position do Leeds United need to strengthen most in January?
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Then, Leeds tried to sign Wilson on deadline day. Wilson wanted to join Leeds on the final day of the window, but it didn’t materialise. Fulham blocked Wilson’s exit and that was that, Leeds missed out.
Underwood earned criticism for not getting a deal over the line in the summer and for failing to improve Leeds’ attacking output. Now, Underwood could suffer the same reality in January, with a £22m winger.
Tyrique George in action for Chelsea.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Leeds want to sign Tyrique George, but there’s an issue
Ironically, Tyrique George’s failed £22m move to Fulham from Chelsea in the summer caused Leeds to miss out on Wilson. Now, Leeds are one of the clubs supposedly considering a move for George.
However, Caught Offside say Leeds are facing competition from six other teams in the race to sign the England U21 star. Southampton are attempting an ambitious move to lure him to the Championship.
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Roma and Leipzig want to take him abroad, while Leeds’ Premier League rivals Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace would love to sign George. The versatile attacker is struggling to get Chelsea game time.
Having left Leeds in the summer after an eight-year stint as Leeds CEO, Angus Kinnear could look to beat Leeds to the signature of George. Certainly, Everton will want revenge as Dominic Calvert-Lewin shines.
Do Leeds even NEED signings after enjoying success with a 3-5-2 formation?
We speak about what is possible (privately) but it’s not my job to speak in public about it or judge it in any way. I deal with what I’ve got. Of course I want the best possible squad, the best possible players and to improve the players as much as possible, but I don’t own the club
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What Tyrique George wants to happen in January window
George was given a break in this Chelsea side under Enzo Maresca, largely in the Conference League last season which Chelsea would go on to win. But he has not been given the chance to kick on at Chelsea.
The Blues have massive amounts of talent, signing Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro in the summer. Estevao was already signed, but eventually moved to Chelsea from Palmeiras in the summer.
George has now realised that game time is going to be rare at Chelsea, and he needs a move if he is to stand any chance of building on his impressive start. Caught Offside say George wants to leave Chelsea.
Not only does George want to leave Chelsea in January, he realises the need for a permanent move at this stage in his career. It will be interesting to see which club George feels is best for his future development.
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