It feels unlikely that Daniel Farke will be Leeds United manager come the start of the January transfer window, but the work will go on for Adam Underwood and his transfer team.
Paraag Marathe and the 49ers have shown at Rangers that they are willing to sack the decision makers upstairs, with Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell axed. But there has been no talk of Underwood’s exit.
Who do you want Leeds to sign in January?
That means that regardless of Farke’s future, the chances are that Underwood will be the man to lead Leeds into the transfer window after Christmas. Leeds have already been linked with many new players.
It is expected that Leeds will try to sign an attacking player, but Leeds fans will want to see some new faces to inject a bit of life into a side currently destined for relegation. Kobbie Mainoo has been linked.
Kobbie Mainoo on England duty in 2024.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim discusses Kobbie Mainoo’s future amid Leeds links
Reports say that Leeds are in the mix to sign England star Mainoo, who is struggling for game time under Ruben Amorim at Man United. His 32-minute cameo last night was his second-longest league outing.
Whether Leeds are in for a midfielder remains to be seen, though it feels unlikely given Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff were signed in the summer. However, Amorim has teased a January exit for the midfielder.
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 loss to 10-man Everton on Monday night, Amorim said: “The club comes first, it’s the no.1 priority. We have to think about the club and the team. After that, anything can happen”.
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Robbie Evans on Leeds United’s PSR position:
“This summer, we spent everything we could. Unequivocally, we are maxing PSR out this season. If we had gone on to other targets [on deadline day], the consequences would have been seen in the current roster. More key players from last season would have had to go.”
Leeds United’s position with PSR means one or two signings likely
Robbie Evans said at the end of the summer window that Leeds had maxed out PSR. That means, unless Leeds sell a couple of players for PSR profit, or are willing to go over the line, January will be largely quiet.
Leeds are willing to listen to offers for Willy Gnonto, while Pascal Struijk would represent a profit if he is sold. But fans would rather those players are kept. Leeds’ best chance is signing some players on loan.
If Leeds are only able to make one or two additions, then they have to be in the final third. Leeds lack the firepower to get themselves out of the mess they are in. A central midfielder would not be a priority.
But perhaps, Farke or whoever is in charge at Elland Road may feel that the midfield needs connecting to the attack and a box-to-box, no.8-type midfielder is ideal. If that is the case, Mainoo does make sense.
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