The summer transfer window might be closed, but that doesn’t mean clubs like Leeds United aren’t already plotting for January and potential players they could target to bolster the team for the second half of the 2024-25 season.
Leeds underwent changes this past summer, losing key players from last season, especially in the midfield, where Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray played. Still, the English side has spent money to make up for the losses that they have experienced this summer, and that could continue into January.
After failing to secure promotion last season, the goal for The Whites is to either win the Championship or finish in second place to avoid the play-off again, considering that the format is unpredictable.
As a result, the January transfer window will be a key time for the club to identify weaknesses in the team and improve them for the final stretch of the campaign. One area that Leeds could look to bolster in a couple of months is the midfield.
Leeds United want Bournemouth standout
According to Gune Bakis, Leeds are targeting Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing, and “serious offers” have already been made as Farke looks to strengthen his squad with more top-tier talent.
Nonetheless, the Danish international is also attracting interest from clubs in Turkey’s Süper Lig, where the transfer window remains open until September 13, giving them extra time to complete any potential deal.
The former Huddersfield star signed with his current club in 2019 and has since made close to 200 appearances for the Cherries across all competitions, scoring 31 goals and 20 assists.
As for how much the player would cost Leeds, the report doesn’t reveal the asking price Bournemouth will demand. However, Transfermarkt puts the player’s value at €22 million, and the Premier League side could demand that sum since Billing is under contract until 2027.
It will be interesting to see how the first half of the season plays out for Bournemouth and whether they’d be open to selling Billing or whether Leeds presents an offer that they cannot refuse for a player who has made one appearance so far this season.
