Three players Leeds United should’ve signed could all be promoted this season

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Wolves signed Afobe, Aston Villa landed Grabban and Fulham nabbed Mitrovic – while Leeds United slide down the Championship table.

Leeds United signed one striker in the January transfer window.

Unfortunately, however, 19-year-old Tyler Roberts has not yet made his debut for the Elland Road giants since his £2.5 million move from West Brom.

And would a rather unproven teenager who spent the first half of the season scoring five goals in 17 games on loan at Walsall have really made a huge immediate impact? Possibly not.

Leeds fans made it clear that they wanted to see a striker with a proven Championship track record arrive in the New Year but, when the window slammed shut, they did not get their wish.

Missed opportunity

The Whites may not have a bucketload of cash at their disposal but the fact that three players who moved to league rivals on loan from Premier League sides have all made big impressions at their new clubs should further frustrate Leeds fans who have been critical of the clubs recruitment all season.

Leeds were still in the play-off picture when Benik Afobe, Lewis Grabban and Aleksandar Mitrovic joined Wolves, Aston Villa and Fulham respectively in January.

Two months on, however, and the on loan trio all have an excellent chance of being promoted this season – while the extent of Leeds’ ambitions now is just to finish in the top half.

Afobe has four goals in four starts for runaway leaders Wolves, including a wonderful lob in the 3-0 win at Elland Road in March. Grabban has four himself for Villa while Mitrovic has plundered a remarkable nine in 11 starts for a Fulham side who are now up to second.

Leeds fans were furious that they did not make a move for the Serbian in January. But the impact made by Afobe and Grabban too should see yet more questions being asked.