Daniel Farke believes his squad has not got weaker but stopped short of going further
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
14:58, 04 Feb 2026
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke
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Leeds United boss Daniel Farke(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Daniel Farke insists that Leeds United can avoid Premier League relegation with the current squad at his disposal, refusing to get hung up on the lack of arrivals in the January transfer market.
Leeds were keen on Jorgen Strand Larsen and tabled a £40m bid last week, but Crystal Palace ultimately won the race on deadline day, having offered £8m more. It means Leeds ended the window with one signing - Facundo Buonanotte on loan.
Supporters have expressed worry over the lack of a back-up centre-forward given Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury past, while Leeds also look thin on the ground at full-back if either Jayden Bogle or Gabriel Gudmundsson are ruled out for a period of time.
Leeds kept the door open for a back-up left-back amid the loan exit of Jack Harrison to Fiorentina, while Farke’s comments on goalkeepers following Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal suggested that a new shot-stopper would have been ideally sought for.
Speaking ahead of Friday's crunch relegation clash with Nottingham Forest, Farke outlined that his initial transfer aims at the start of the window had not changed that month, aside from Harrison’s exit opening up a gap.
Giving his thoughts on the window, Farke said: “Normally, it's a good sign when you don't do much in January, because if you have a look across Europe to all the clubs who are in a good position, you rarely see they do much in January.
“I adapt to the reality I have in this group right now, and I concentrate to give my group right now all the backing, all my work or my trust, and then I'm also confident that we can achieve our goals.
“I won't speak about the details. Because how would my players in the squad right now feel if I tell you today, I would have wished for another whatever?
“They wouldn't feel much trusted anyhow, and that I'm not confident. So all the players who are right now here, they need all my attention. They need all my backing, all my support.”
He added: "My squad has not got weaker". Leeds were hamstrung by PSR limits last month, having maxed out their limits over the summer. The £40m tabled for Strand Larsen - described as a ‘unique’ market opportunity by outsiders - would have come out of next season’s budget.
Farke continued: “If we identify, for example, a player or position or a profile that can make us better, then it's up to other people in our club to decide if it's affordable, because I also fully understand that we work with limited resources.
“My general understanding of my role is I've signed a contract here to serve. It’s not like the club has to serve me or back me. Of course I would prefer unlimited resources and get whatever we want and then would have spent more.
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“But it's important that we are all together, not me vs the board. It's important that key figures have their say and agree what to do and not do - it's what I think has to work. I adapt to the reality. I am here to back the club.”
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