Leeds United are approaching the winter transfer window in a strong position. They sit third in the Championship table and are massive favourites to earn automatic promotion to the Premier League this season. Leeds want to invest in their squad in January to ensure that they have a strong enough squad to sustain their promotion charge in the latter half of the season.
The Leeds board are working to ensure that Daniel Farke has more money to spend in the winter window. They do not want the Whites to lose steam towards the end of the season and push for automatic promotion.
However, Leeds have a hidden advantage that most of their Championship rivals do not possess. If used properly and smart moves are made in the window, Leeds could have a real leg-up in January and steal a march in the race for promotion.
The genesis of their advantage lies in what the club did in May this year when Red Bull became the minority owner of the club and Leeds became part of their network of football clubs.
While the Red Bull’s logo on Leeds shirt sparked fears that the club could undergo a radical change, the Whites have remained largely independent in their dealings.
However, it is time Leeds dip into the Red Bull pot and use their network to bring in new players in the winter transfer window.
Maximilian Wober’s departure could signal the start of Red Bull’s involvement in Leeds’ transfer dealings
Wober has played very little football this season and Red Bull Salzburg are said to be in advanced negotiations to sign the defender in the winter window.
According to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, Wober’s potential move to Salzburg could also see Leeds sign players from either the Austrian club or RB Leipzig as part of the deal.
The two clubs from the Red Bull network could supply players that Leeds need in the winter transfer window and strengthen their squad.
Even if Wober doesn’t move to Salzburg there is a major chance that the Whites sign players from either the Austrian giants or Leipzig in the winter window.
Jurgen Klopp will also take charge as the Global Head of Soccer of the Red Bull group in January and will have a say in the transfer dealings.
The former Liverpool manager could end up having a major say on how Leeds go on to sign in the winter window and moving forward.
Being part of the Red Bull family could end up being a massive advantage for Leeds if they identify the right players from the clubs in the network.
It is a luxury none of their Championship rivals have and they must ensure they get the most out of it in the winter window.
What do Leeds United need in January?
Farke is a reluctant spender in the winter window as he is wary of affecting the internal harmony and balance of his squad by adding a new variable or two into the mix.
However, there are gaps in his Leeds United squad that could do with some new faces in January to boost their chances of earning automatic promotion this season.
With Joe Gelhardt expected to leave and Patrick Bamford continuing to disappoint this season, Leeds could do with another forward for the latter half of the season.
Joel Piroe is not the kind of striker who will keep banging in the goals for fun and Mateo Joseph is yet to prove that he can cut it a this level when it comes to hitting the back of the net regualrly.
Leeds will also have to consider reinforcements in midfield and defence but that could depend on how Ethan Ampadu recovers from his knee injury in the coming weeks.
The club are surely looking at potential reinforcements but a lot will depend on how the players do from now until the end of December before any concrete calls can be taken.
