January is approaching, and Leeds United fans will be hoping for some transfers in the winter window. There was widespread disappointment after how the club ended the summer window.
Missing out on key targets and going into full panic mode before the deadline, missing out on deals for Facundo Buonanotte and Harry Wilson. The lack of a consistent goalscorer in the team is one of the many reasons why Leeds are not flying high this season. Daniel Farke’s side are near the bottom of the league for goals scored this season.
From the £105 million spent this summer, fans were expecting much more results on the field. With January coming around, the ownership need to decide to help save their season. Ivan Toney has been heavily linked in recent weeks, but there is now a clear decision on that matter.
Out-of-favour Premier League players Leeds United should sign in January
11 games into the season, with just a few games to go till the halfway point, every club is getting a fair idea of the team they will use for the rest of the season. Some players have started this season poorly, while others have excelled. A few clubs have made poor choices in the transfer window, and it has reflected on the pitch.
Which means that in January, it would be the perfect time to offload some of these stars who are not playing.
James McAtee
The attacking midfielder was highly sought after last year; Pep Guardiola decided to keep him at Manchester City instead of letting him go out on loan. Nottingham Forest splashed the cash on him, but this season, he has only played six games in all competitions and has yet to score a goal. It looks like he is not a favourite under Sean Dyche, so a potential January move, potentially on loan, could be ideal for Leeds.
Niclas Fullkrug
West Ham’s summer signing has been very disappointing; he has rarely been fit this season and has not provided the goals. The German striker is the kind of forward Leeds could do with; he is good in the air and can hold up the ball. Fullkrug has a decent goal record outside England, too. He could be a very useful signing in January.
| Season | Games Played | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 20 | 3 |
| 2023/24 | 46 | 16 |
| 2022/23 | 30 | 16 |
| 2021/22 | 34 | 19 |
| 2020/21 | 21 | 6 |
Ben Doak
A former Leeds target, the Scotland international has not had much playing time since his big move from Liverpool. Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has only given him 53 minutes in the league this season. Doak is a dynamic wide player who can create, and it is almost guaranteed he would jump at a chance to move to a club where he will play games.
| Player | Games Played | Minutes Played |
|---|---|---|
| Niclas Fullkrug | 7 | 391 |
| James McAtee | 6 | 277 |
| Ben Doak | 5 | 98 |
These three targets are all reasonable transfers for Leeds United; they are desperate for playing time, which the Whites can give them. And more importantly, they fix a lot of needs at the club this season – creativity and goalscoring.
Fullkrug is the ideal focal point for a team like Leeds with his height and strength, while James McAtee can chip in with goals and assists from midfield. Ben Doak would definitely provide more quality than Brenden Aaronson currently offers in that right-wing berth.
It will be down to the owners if they have this much ambition to help the club secure their place in the top flight for next season.
