Leeds United are 4th in the league with just a 2-point difference from the second place as they fight for a resurgence into the Premier League.
Their new manager, Daniel Farke, has done a commendable job to steady the sail of the club since his arrival in the summer. Now it is up to the club authorities to complement his strategies. However, they have not been very efficient at their job given Leeds’ pathetic January transfer window so far.
Farke reveals Leeds reality
Daniel Farke’s first transfer window at the club couldn’t have been more baffling and challenging for him as he saw players leave the club left and right.
To put things into context, during the January window, Robin Koch, Luke Ayling, Darko Gyabi, and Lewis Bate all found the exit door. But when it comes to incoming players, Leeds is yet to welcome any new faces.
With their current financial woes, neither can the club be overly ambitious in the market. Evidently, there is no option for the German coach other than to accept the reality and plan ahead for the season with his slim and inexperienced squad.
However, he did accept that “A bit more experience would do no harm, that’s for sure,”. Farke said in his press conference ahead of the weekend’s Championship game against Cardiff City.
The German is also fully aware of how difficult it is to sign players in the January transfer window, “But again in the January transfer window, it’s always a bit difficult.”
“During January, there’s no guarantee if we can find the right player, and if we do, if we can afford him. We can’t be too addicted to this as perhaps we can’t find the perfect solution. So we have to fight with our tools.”
Speaking of the inexperience of the squad, Farke revealed that it has been their one of the lookouts for new possible recruitments in the winter transfer. “We lost many experienced players in the summer. It’s not that easy to replace Luke Ayling’s experience, so obviously we will have a look and have this in our minds when we are speaking about possible incomings this month.”
Leeds might be on a good run of form, but it is only sensible to say that with this squad, it is not sustainable. Surely not when you are eyeing to compete in the Premier League next season.
Manuel Benson
Leeds have been in pursuit of a winger this transfer window, and Manuel Benson from Burnley has been in the discussion.
Benson has struggled for game time at Turf Moor despite making several vital contributions for the Clarets last season.
The 26-year-old has made just five appearances in all competitions for Vincent Company’s team this season, featuring for just 100 minutes.
Desperate for regular playing time, the player has been looking to seal an exit from the Lancashire club before the window ends.
With that being said, Benson hasn’t been short of suitors during the January window.
Besides offers from Hull City, the winger has interest from Ipswich Town and Birmingham City. However, the two teams that carry the most weight are Leeds and Southampton.
But recent revelations by Ben Jacobs can be disappointing for the Leeds fans, as Benson has reportedly become closer to joining the Saints on a loan deal with the option to buy.
For Leeds, the deal is increasingly getting tougher owing to their financial crisis.
But apart from financial benefits, another reason for Benson not to consider Leeds could be their established attacking options that can potentially limit his game time. For now, Farke has to continue scout the market for other options.
Ben Godfrey
The Whites are desperate for a new signing before the window shuts, especially a defender. After sanctioning two outgoings in Djed Spence and Luke Ayling, defense has to be the priority for Daniel Farke.
The Daily Mail has relayed reports claiming that Leeds are interested in signing Ben Godfrey this month from Premier League side Everton.
Ben has already played under Farke at Norwich City, winning promotion to the Premier League in 2019. He has already making 72 appearances under the German coach during the spell before joining Everton the following year.
Since his move, the defender has struggled to register as a starter for Everton. This season, he has played even rarely, turning out just twice in the Premier League.
In the given context, a reunion with Farke in the second tier could appeal to Godfrey. Moreover, with his contract being in the last season, it seems to be a good time to leave Goodison Park.
But apparently, Ben has his future decided outside of England as Leeds are again on the verge of losing the deal, and the villain for it is again hailed to be their financial status.
Reports claim that Leeds are looking for a loan deal with an option to buy, which is not the preference for Everton. Everton is keen to sanction an outright sale given the Toffees’ desperation for financial breather, and a loan deal is unlikely at this stage.
It is said that the 26-year-old is now keen to explore opportunities outside of England, and clubs in Europe are currently offering better terms for a full sale.
Amidst this, Italy has stood out to be his most likely destination. AC Milan and Roma have been on the lookout for the versatile defender.
Interestingly, Ben’s move to Italy earlier this month has already fallen flat after Atalanta’s bid to sign Everton defender Ben Godfrey collapsed as a result of the tax break abolishment in Italy.
Joining in on that is a new revelation from Fabrizio Romano, who shares that Serie A side Genoa has registered themselves as a possible suitor.
Having already brought Djed Spence in on loan, the club is keen on the Englishman to add depth to their squad. If the player’s salary expectations are met, they can expect a green signal from the defender.
However, it would appear that Leeds aren’t giving up on signing the Everton defender without a fight and have submitted an official approach –
Mateusz Musialowski
This news can be a light at the end of the dark tunnel for Leeds fans. According to Football Insider, Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side has been keeping tabs on Poland Under-21 international Mateusz Musialowski for quite some time now and is reportedly pursuing the signature of the exciting Liverpool youngster as Daniel Farke looks to add to his side’s attacking options.
Musialowski has been under the Liverpool academy for quite some time but is yet to make his official debut for the first team. However, he has starred for the U21s this season, scoring six times and recording two assists in 11 outings.
He has been on the radar for Leicester City and Southampton, but Leeds continue to be in a strong position to land the attacking midfielder.
The Polish youth international is seen as “backup” to the talented attacking setup Leeds has already built for this season in the Championship. Yet, he is an investment for the future.
His current deal expires at the end of the season, and it is unclear if the Merseyside club will offer him a new deal. Therefore, anyone making a move in this window would be able to secure him for a solid fee.
But given Leeds’ financial woes, it can very well be a loan deal with a buying option. It will be a promising option if Leeds goes ahead with the deal.
Marc Roca
Marc Roca joined Leeds United on July 1, 2022, on a four-year deal from Bayern Munich. But his spell at Leeds was nothing short of disappointment as he was loaned to the Spanish side, Real Betis, for a season-long loan spell for the current season.
However, under Pellegrini, Roca has completely turned the tables. The 27-year-old has found his rhythm in Sevilla and has four goals and three assists, standing out as one of the best midfielders in La Liga.
However, Roca’s dream spell is set to expire at the end of the season following his return to the Championship club. Having said that, the midfielder recently revealed that a particular contractual clause might give him another shot to stay in La Liga.
As reported by Estadio Deportivo, Marc Roca has a clause in his contract with Leeds that would allow him to extend his loan deal if Leeds United fails in their bid for promotion this year.
Speaking to Estadio Deportivo, Roca shared: “There is a clause like this year. If Leeds are not in the Premier League, I can go out on loan again. Let’s see. It depends on whether they go up or not. I sincerely hope they go up because all the teams, I wish them the best.”
While Roca claims to be cheering on Daniel Farke’s side in their promotion push, there will be a part of him hoping to extend his spell with Betis.
In the loan contract with Betis, the La Liga club does have the option to permanently acquire the midfielder for €12 million at the end of the season. However, that could be financially tricky for the Spanish club.
Having said that, even if Leeds are promoted, it seems unlikely that Roca would be willing to return to Elland Road. Therefore, it may be in the best interests of all parties involved to reach an agreement for his transfer, regardless of Leeds’ situation in May.
