Leeds United could repeat one of their transfer tricks from last year in January; this time, they could use it to bring in someone younger and build for the future.
Leeds paid around £15m for Sean Longstaff when he arrived from Newcastle United last year, giving Daniel Farke another experienced midfield option.
However, the midfielder has become a squad option, and rumours suggest he could leave the club in the upcoming transfer window in search of more football.
If Leeds decide they need another midfielder to replace Longstaff when the January window opens, they could repeat that investment by spending a similar amount on a younger player.
Read More: 4 players Leeds need to be scouting now ahead of January – including £33m Premier League star
One name worth keeping an eye on is Gvidas Gineitis
The Torino midfielder remained at the Serie A club after the summer window and has previously been linked with Leeds. At 22, he also fits the kind of recruitment profile that makes sense for a club looking to build for the future rather than simply patching holes in the squad.
The key point is that Leeds would not necessarily be signing Gineitis because Longstaff failed.
Longstaff’s experience and Premier League knowledge were part of the reason for bringing him in, and having a player who understands the demands of English football is valuable.
But Leeds have to consider the former Newcastle star’s utility and whether it is better to replace him with someone younger soon.
That’s where a player like Gineitis becomes interesting.
The Lithuanian is still only 22, but he has already gained significant Serie A experience and developed into an established player at Torino.
He would give Leeds a chance to add youth without bringing in someone completely untested at senior level.
That distinction matters.
Leeds have already spent significant money strengthening their midfield. Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu and Longstaff give Farke a variety of options, while Brenden Aaronson can also operate centrally when required.
There is therefore no obvious need to panic-buy another midfielder
January would instead be an opportunity to look further ahead.
If Leeds believe Gineitis has the potential to develop into a Premier League-level starter, spending around the same £15m they invested in Longstaff would represent a very different type of gamble.
Leeds recruited Longstaff largely for what he could give them immediately. Gineitis would be a bet on what he could become.
That is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it could be exactly how Leeds continue to evolve their squad.
The club cannot keep waiting until a position becomes a problem before addressing it. By then, the available players are usually more expensive, and the competition for their signature is much stronger.
Getting ahead of the curve is the whole point of good recruitment
Gineitis would also give Farke something slightly different.
He is comfortable operating in midfield and has the technical ability to progress the ball, while his age means there should still be plenty of room for development.
Whether he could immediately handle the Premier League’s physical demands is another question, but that is where the presence of more established midfielders becomes important.
Leeds would not be asking a 22-year-old to carry the midfield overnight. They would be giving themselves another option while developing a player who could eventually become increasingly important.
And there is another reason the £15m figure makes the story interesting.
Leeds have already shown that they are prepared to spend that kind of money on a midfielder. The question is whether their next £15m midfield investment should be made with the present in mind or the future.
Longstaff represented the former. A player such as Gineitis would represent the latter.
Of course, there is no guarantee that Torino would sell in January or that Gineitis would be Leeds’ preferred target if they decide to strengthen the position.
Leeds have already established their midfield options for the present. Now they can start looking at what that group could look like two or three years down the line.
If Gineitis continues to develop and Leeds still believe he can reach another level, repeating the £15m Longstaff investment on a player six years younger could make plenty of sense.
It would be the same basic financial commitment. Just with a very different idea behind it.
