If Leeds United do try to make some signings in the January window, it will be to bring in an attacker that can play in more than one position, and the latest to be linked is a Manchester United star.
Having failed to get a deal over the line for Harry Wilson or Facundo Buonanotte in the final days of the summer window, Leeds went into the first half of 25-26 lacking quality in attacking midfield or out wide.
Which position do Leeds United need to strengthen most in January?
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It has seen Farke use Brenden Aaronson while also changing formation. If Leeds are to stay up, they will need more in attack, and a player that can bolster the club in more than one position will be targeted.
Fabrizio Romano says Leeds made a move for Como’s Martin Baturina, but he rejected that. Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling continues to be touted, but now a Manchester United attacker is on the radar.
Josuha Zirkzee.
Photo by MB Media/Getty Images
Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee a target for Leeds United
According to Italian outlet Il Messaggero, Leeds and West Ham have made enquiries to sign Netherlands star Joshua Zirkzee from Man United. Zirkzee sparkled at Bologna, and it earned him a £36.5m move.
But his time at Old Trafford has not gone to plan. The versatile attacker has been afforded less than 350 minutes of Premier League action this season, scoring only one goal. He’s fallen down the pecking order.
Unsurprisingly, given Man United have brought in Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko in the most recent window. However, Zirkzee is not particularly keen on a move to either English side.
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Instead, Zirkzee wants a return to Serie A, where he properly made a name for himself under Thiago Motta at Bologna. Roma are leading the race for Zirkzee, despite signing Evan Ferguson last summer.
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 Ruben Amorim has said about Joshua Zirkzee’s future
The lack of game time, the competition for places, and that it is a World Cup year make it easy to understand why Zirkzee wants to move. He needs a loan, at least in January, to win a World Cup ticket.
Leeds can hand him that, and it would see Zirkzee start more games than he doesn’t, partnering Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a 3-5-2 system. But Ruben Amorim says he will only let Zirkzee go if it’s right for his club.
“I was a footballer. I understand everything, I want to help my players in every situation. But the first thing is, club comes first. If I can help the club and the players, I will be happy. I have to think about the team.”
It feels inevitable that Zirkzee will leave Man United in the summer, but the chances are that he is ushered off to Italy. A place where he knows he can shine, and therefore his value goes up in the event of a sale.
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