Leeds United need to bring in new players in the January transfer window if they want to boost their sagging confidence of staying up in the Premier League this season.
A harrowing run of four defeats in five has set tongues wagging around Elland Road, and while Leeds are still 16th, the spectre of relegation from the top flight is very much looming for the Whites this season.
Daniel Farke’s future at Leeds is under the scanner, and there are suggestions that if results do not improve in the next four games, the 49ers will seek to replace the German at the helm.
However, regardless of who is in charge when the January window opens, Leeds need fresh new faces to improve the squad, and three new players may be the minimum requirement to boost the team’s attack.
Leeds likely to sign these three new players in the January transfer window
The Yorkshire giants are in the market for attacking reinforcements. Leeds have been looking at options to bring in an attacking midfielder and winger in the winter window.
However, it is becoming increasingly likely that Leeds will be in the market for strikers, and the club are already making moves in the market to line up a new number 9.
It seems likely that Leeds will end up bringing in an attacking midfielder, a winger and a striker in the winter transfer window.
Harry Wilson
If Leeds had their way, Wilson would have been at Elland Road on deadline day last summer. However, Fulham changed their mind about selling the winger at the last minute, and he stayed put at Craven Cottage.
The Whites have continued to monitor his situation, with the Welshman’s current deal set to expire at the end of the season. There is a lot of chatter about the winger wanting a new deal at Fulham, but no terms have been agreed yet.
If he doesn’t sign a new contract by the January window rolls out, Leeds would fancy their chances of convincing him to move to Elland Road in the middle of the season.
James McAtee
Leeds had their eyes on James McAtee in the summer transfer window. However, Forest were prepared to splash the cash needed to convince Manchester City to sell him.
However, the England Under-21 star has found life hard at the City Ground amid a turbulent season where Forest have had three different managers.
He has only played 127 minutes of Premier League football and doesn’t appear to be the kind of player who would find a place in a Sean Dyche team.
McAtee wants to play more football, and Leeds could offer him an exit route in January, potentially on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Troy Parrott
Troy Parrott has rekindled his career at AZ Alkmaar, and Leeds have opened discussions to sign the striker in the winter transfer window. However, unlike Wilson or McAtee, this is not going to be a cheap deal, and the Whites may have to dig deep to fund a move for the former Spurs striker.
AZ want a club record fee in excess of £26m before agreeing to sell him, and Leeds are trying to negotiate down the price. But it is still expected to be a deal worth more than £20m in January.
This deal would require the 49ers to take a financial risk to ensure that they have a goalscorer who could keep Leeds in the Premier League.
Will the 49ers act in January?
Leeds have been insistent that they maxed out their PSR spending in the summer, but it is now clear that it was not adequate, and there are huge holes in the squad.
The 49ers need to push the boat out in January, as playing it safe could see them return to the Championship next season. The Wilson and McAtee deals are more than plausible, and only the move for Parrott could be a bit more financially complicated.
However, their financial complications will get worse if they end up in the second tier next year.
