Leeds United have had a quiet transfer window thus far. Joe Gelhardt is on the verge of joining Hull City on loan but other than that there is no news of any major departures. Wilfried Gnonto has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia but it would take a big offer to convince the Whites to sell him this month. Leeds have also been linked with forwards amidst reports of Blackburn Rovers considering Patrick Bamford as an option in the market. The Yorkshire giants are also in the market for a goalkeeper with Illan Meslier visibly struggling at this stage.
The Whites have little less than three weeks to do business in the window but the club have so far decided against making any major moves in the market this month.
Gelhardt is on the verge of sealing a loan move to Hull in the winter window and for now, it is likely to be the only major departure from Leeds United at this stage.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke is reluctant to add new faces to his squad in the middle of the season as he remains wary of disrupting the internal dynamics of a squad.
He has hinted that Leeds would be unlikely to sign anyone unless they suffer a serious injury to one of their major players in the ongoing transfer window.
Patrick Bamford has attracted interest from Blackburn Rovers this month but it is unclear whether Leeds would let him go following Gelhardt’s departure.
Leeds have also been linked with interest in goalkeepers but there is no clarity whether Farke is prepared to take away his support from Meslier in the middle of the season.
What can Leeds United do in the transfer window?
The January transfer window is a complicated time to do business in the market. Clubs do not want to sell their best performers and only big money offers are likely to be entertained unless they are looking to offload squad players.
The Yorkshire giants have funds to spend but Farke has so far decided against dipping into the market amidst calls from the fans to strengthen the squad.
However, the squad have a few needs and the club could look to strengthen certain areas of the squad in the January transfer window.
Leeds fans believe the club need a striker as beyond Joel Piroe, the cupboard looks bare. Mateo Joseph has two goals to his name this season and Patrick Bamford is yet to score.
If Bamford is to be moved on, Leeds would need to bring in a forward to ensure that the club have someone to fall back on if Piroe gets injured in the latter half of the season.
Meslier has been struggling between the sticks and Karl Darlow impressed against the Harrogate Town on Saturday evening.
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher has been linked with a move to Elland Road but there is no certainty that Farke has given up on his number one goalkeeper yet.
Wilfried Gnonto’s future has come under the scanner due to interest from Saudi Arabia but Leeds are insistent that they do not want to sell him.
Only a significant transfer fee would convince Leeds to sell the Italian and Farke would want a replacement before Gnonto gets sold in the winter window.
Do Leeds need new signings for promotion?
Leeds have been a consistent side this season, which is clear from the fact that they sit at the summit of the Championship table at this stage of the campaign.
However, there are gaps in the squad that could do with some strengthening if the right players are available in the market.
A striker and a new goalkeeper will provide Leeds a massive boost in their race to earn automatic promotion to the Premier League in the latter half of the season.
However, Farke has a point about maintaining the spirit inside the squad and he trusts the players who have functioned as a well-oiled machine this season.
If the Leeds boss decides that the squad are good enough to get promoted, the fans must trust the manager and let him use his resources accordingly.
