The January transfer window is drawing ever closer, and Leeds will be looking for new signings to aid their push for promotion…
Leeds head into the Christmas period sitting fifth in the Championship table, having won seven of their last nine games under impressive manager Garry Monk.
The Whites will be looking towards January for reinforcements to help them in their quest to return to the Premier League, but Leeds also have decisions to make on permanent deals for loan players, and new contracts for existing players.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Leeds United’s January transfer window…
Sign another goalscorer
Chris Wood has impressed under Monk, hitting 14 goals in 25 games this season, but Leeds do need to bring in another goalscorer. Marcus Antonsson and Souleymane Doukara have been solid enough this season, but bringing in one more proven Championship goalscorer could make Leeds one of the favourites for promotion. The Northern Echo recently reported that Leeds have discussed a move for Middlesbrough striker David Nugent, and given that the 31-year-old has scored more than 100 Championship goals across spells with Preston, Potsmouth, Leicester and Middlesbrough, he could fit the bill perfectly for Leeds.
Pontus Jansson of Leeds United celebrates
Attempt to secure permanent deals for Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson
One of the keys behind Leeds’ season has been their impressive defensive record, as summer signings Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson have forged a superb partnership in the heart of Monk’s defence. The problem for Leeds is that both players are on loan, and manager Monk will almost certainly want to keep both players long-term. The Yorkshire Evening Post recently reported that Leeds can sign Swedish defender Jansson on a permanent basis from Torino for £3.5million, but there have been few indications that Bartley could stay at Elland Road permanently. Bartley and Jansson are arguably the best centre back partnership Leeds have been able to field in years, and Leeds should use January to try and secure permanent deals for both players.
Keep hold of Charlie Taylor
Whilst keeping loan players should be a priority, so should keeping left back Charlie Taylor. The 23-year-old has become a key player for Leeds over the last two years, making the left back spot his own since Stephen Warnock’s move to Derby County. With almost 100 first-team appearances to his name now, Taylor has become one of the best left backs in the Championship, but his contract expires this summer, leaving Leeds in a tricky situation. A number of Premier League clubs have been linked with Taylor, but Leeds should take the risk and resist any offers to sell him in a cut-price deal. If Taylor can help Leeds win promotion this season, then the Whites would be in a great position to keep hold of their star left back by offering him Premier League football.
Make a decision on Alex Mowatt
Whilst Leeds will obviously want to keep Taylor at Elland Road, the situation surrounding midfielder Alex Mowatt is much less clear. The 21-year-old is also out of contract at the end of the season, and whilst he had impressed in previous regimes, Mowatt has started just four Championship games this season, and looks to be down the pecking order under Monk. Having been on the books at Leeds since 2004, Mowatt now faces a huge decision, and so do the club. Whilst only 21, Mowatt’s career could stagnate even further if he chooses to stay at Elland Road, and with Leeds protected against losing him for nothing given that he’s under the age of 23, it may be best for Leeds and Mowatt to go their separate ways.
Ship out Diagouraga, Murphy and others
Many players are thriving under Monk’s management, but midfielders Luke Murphy and Toumani Diagouraga have been cast aside by the Leeds boss. Murphy has made just one appearance this season and that came in the EFL Cup, whilst Diagouraga hasn’t featured at all since the 3-0 opening day defeat to Queens Park Rangers. Neither player figures in Monk’s plans, and Leeds must work to get both players out of the club in January, whilst goalkeeper Ross Turnbull could be another player that Leeds look to move on as they seek to ship out the deadwood in January.
What would you like to see Leeds do in January?
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