Leeds United approach the January transfer window with a more defined strategy, placing fresh emphasis on improving their attacking options as they look to strengthen their Premier League survival bid.
Facundo Buonanotte completed a loan move to Leeds from Brighton on Thursday after snubbing the Whites last season. He will add a versatile attacking option in the final third.
However, tactical adjustments have sharpened that need for one more striker. The move to a 5-3-2 formation has increased reliance on a dependable goalscorer, while limited attacking depth has further highlighted the urgency for reinforcements.
Daniel Farke has not ruled out adding one more forward before the end of the transfer window. However, they are likely to abandon their interest in one striker the club have been linked with.
Leeds United will not sign Artem Dovbyk in January
Artem Dovbyk was heavily linked with a move to Leeds, who enquired to sign him in the last summer transfer window. However, he stayed put at Roma.
He is no longer a certain starter under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, and Roma have been keen to move him on in January.
Leeds remain interested in the Ukrainian striker. However, a move is unlikely to happen as the striker is currently out injured.
According to Mana Mana Sport via Tutto Mercato, Roma have decided against carrying out surgery to solve his tendon problem and have adopted a more conservative approach.
A surgery would have meant a longer recovery time. However, even now, he is not expected to rejoin training with the first team squad before the start of February.
The injury has almost ruled out any chance of Leeds making a move for the striker in the ongoing transfer window. He is now expected to stay at Roma until next summer.
Leeds are avoiding a transfer disaster
Dovbyk definitely has the physical attributes to play in Farke’s Leeds team and could be a good partner for Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front.
However, his goalscoring form this season has been patchy, and the injury has made him even less desirable for Leeds in the ongoing window.
| Statistic (per 90) | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Non-penalty goals | 0.39 | 58 |
| npxG (non-penalty xG) | 0.37 | 56 |
| Shots total | 2.07 | 21 |
| Assists | 0.14 | 64 |
| xAG (expected assisted goals) | 0.13 | 63 |
| npxG + xAG | 0.50 | 59 |
| Shot-creating actions | 2.41 | 63 |
Even if he is fit to play in early February, the Ukrainian will need some time to get back to his peak fitness while trying to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.
Leeds need a striker who is ready to hit the ground running in the Premier League, and Dovbyk is definitely not that player at the moment.
The club will avoid a huge disaster if they kill any attempt to sign the Roma striker in the ongoing transfer window.
