Leeds United are pressing on in the January transfer window with only hours remaining, as they look to strengthen their squad before the deadline.
Operating within tight financial limits, the Whites have already added to their attacking ranks by landing Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton, having missed out on the move last summer.
Leeds remain keen to sign one more player, but with top target Jorgen Strand Larsen poised to join Crystal Palace, attention has turned to alternative options, including links to former Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran.
The Whites have not ruled out the possibility of adding one more forward to their squad, but at this moment, it seems the 49ers could be leading the club to another embarrassing deadline day.
Where is the Jorgen Strand Larsen money, Leeds United?
Strand Larsen is on the verge of completing a move worth £48m to Crystal Palace on deadline day. He is expected to complete the formalities in the coming hours.
Leeds pushed hard to sign, but were not ready to pay a penny more than £40m for the striker, and decided against getting into a bidding war for the Norwegian.
With the forward joining Palace, it is not hard to presume that Leeds do have £40m to spend on deadline day and should divert the funds to other players.
However, it has emerged Leeds are only prepared to spend on players who they feel are difference makers and despite other pressing needs, they may not spend that money today.
Daniel Farke has indicated that he wants a new goalkeeper, but the recruitment team feel that they may not find the man they want in the final hours of the window.
There are other forwards in the market, but Leeds appear to have back-ups lined up once Strand Larsen decided to join Palace.
With Lukas Nmecha injured and Joel Piroe not good enough for the Premier League, Leeds are one Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury away from a real crisis.
Their relegation rivals are not standing still
Leeds signed Buonanotte on loan earlier in the window, but he has yet to break into the starting eleven and appears to be a bench option at the moment.
The Whites have not improved their starting eleven, while their relegation rivals have spent money to bring in players who could start games.
Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Crystal Palace have all spent money, while Leeds have stood still and are banking on their current squad to get the job done.
| Pos | Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 24 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 25 | 29 | -4 | 29 |
| 16 | Leeds United | 24 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 31 | 42 | -11 | 26 |
| 17 | Nottingham Forest | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 24 | 35 | -11 | 26 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 24 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 29 | 48 | -19 | 20 |
| 19 | Burnley | 23 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 25 | 44 | -19 | 15 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 24 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 15 | 45 | -30 | 8 |
The 49ers are taking a major risk if they do not bring in a proper player today, as it could end up derailing Leeds’ season in the final few months.
Leeds hope that West Ham remain in the doldrums while they continue to pick up points to ensure Premier League survival.
The supporters may feel shortchanged again as Leeds continue to gamble because of the 49ers’ lack of ambition in the market.
