Leeds United plan to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window to close the gaps for the second half of the season.
Daniel Farke’s side have made a solid start to life back in the Premier League, and have looked more competitive and resilient against established top-flight sides than most promoted teams from recent years.
However, the Leeds boss didn’t get the two extra attackers that he wanted in the summer, and Farke is keen to plug those gaps in the squad, which could cause a problem in the latter half of the season.
The Whites have plans in place for the winter transfer window and aim to bring in at least one winger and an attacking midfielder to enhance the club’s forward line.
Leeds United have a serious interest in a Serie A attacker for the January transfer window
Leeds have been monitoring Lorenzo Pellegrini ahead of the winter transfer window, and his current contract expires at the end of the season.
He is unlikely to sign a new deal, and Roma are likely to attempt to sell him in January to secure a small fee from his departure.
O’Rourke is aware of Leeds’ interest, but insisted that a few more clubs will be in the running if Roma decide to sell Pellegrini in the winter transfer window.
He insisted that the Italy international will be a great signing for Leeds in January, and they will have to compete with several clubs for the 29-year-old’s signature.
“Due to his contract situation, I think it’ll be more than just Leeds United looking at Lorenzo Pellegrini”, O’Rourke said on Football Insider’s Insider Track podcast.
“[He’s a] really impressive attacking midfielder, Italian international. If he’s available for a cut-price fee in January, there’ll be a number of clubs looking at him, but we do know that Leeds are already in the market for an attacking midfielder.
“They obviously tried to sign Buonanotte from Brighton in the summer window before he ended up going to Chelsea, and then obviously other deals that Leeds weren’t able to get done.
“If Daniel Farke wants to bring in an attacking option in January, Pellegrini could be somebody who ticks a lot of boxes due to his contract situation as well.
“But as I said, I think there’ll be a lot of interest in him and it’ll be a difficult race to win for Leeds if Roma do decide to try to sell him in January.”
Leeds need a versatile attacking midfielder, but do not have a big budget
Robbie Evans, the Leeds managing director, insisted after the last transfer window that the club maxed out their PSR for the season with their spending in the summer.
It means Leeds do not have the room in their budget for any big-money arrivals in the winter window, unless they decide to cash in on a couple of stars.
Pellegrini represents a good budget option due to his contract situation, and the Whites will try to get him on a free transfer in January.
If Roma agree to cancel his contract in January, the Italian would be a good addition for Leeds without the risk of the club breaking the Premier League’s financial regulations.
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