The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Leeds will be looking for new signings to aid their push for promotion…
Leeds United are heading towards the January transfer window with a play-off place in their sights as Thomas Christiansen aims for the top six.
After a blistering start to the season, Leeds endured a sticky spell under Christiansen, but appear to be back on track ahead of 2018.
Even after a summer of spending, Leeds may still be in the market for more new additions, whilst the futures of some players will be up in the air.
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Leeds United’s January transfer window…
Secure Yosuke Ideguchi and loan him out
Leeds are poised to tie up the signature of Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi, with BBC Sport reporting an imminent £500,000 deal. The Whites will want to get that deal over the line before any potential hijack, smartly striking an early deal rather than waiting for him to appear at the World Cup for Japan. Yet, given that the 21-year-old doesn’t qualify for a work permit, he will have to be loaned out until he can play in England. A move to feeder club Cultural Leonesa could be on the cards, and the midfielder’s signature should be the move to kickstart Leeds’ January business.
Sign a new left back
When Leeds sold Charlie Taylor to Burnley over the summer, it was expected that the Whites would invest in a replacement left back, but they instead only landed Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on loan from Manchester United. So far, Borthwick-Jackson has started just one Championship game, and may even head back to Old Trafford in January, summing up just how much Leeds need another option. With Vurnon Anita and Gaetano Berardi – both right-footed players – pressed into action there, Christiansen and Victor Orta must work to bring in a natural left back.
Plot moves for strikers – in and out
Leeds brought in four strikers over the summer, but questions hang over all of them. Pierre-Michel Lasogga has blown hot and cold since his loan move from Hamburg, Caleb Ekuban has been hard-working but has yet to score a league goal, Pawel Cibicki is only just breaking into the side and Jay-Roy Grot doesn’t look ready for Championship football. Christiansen could use Kemar Roofe there, but bringing in a proven Championship striker would give Leeds a major boost after losing Chris Wood to Burnley over the summer.
Resolve Mateusz Klich’s situation
Leeds swooped to sign Polish international Mateusz Klich from Twente over the summer, after hitting six goals in 30 games last term. However, the 27-year-old has started just one Championship game and hasn’t appeared at all in two months, with a number of social media interactions hinting at his unhappiness at Elland Road. If Klich isn’t in Christiansen’s plans, then letting him leave in January may be best for all parties, rather than keeping him on the sidelines with no prospect of playing time.
Consider Pablo Hernandez’s future
It won’t just be ins and outs that Leeds have to consider, as they must also weigh up Pablo Hernandez’s contract situation at Elland Road. The Spanish playmaker has notched two goals and three assists in 20 Championship games this season, and can leave for free in 2018 given that his contract expires next summer. Leeds won’t want to risk losing him to a pre-contract agreement in January, and may have to decide whether to hand him a new contract or sell him on while they still can.
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