There is no doubt that if Leeds United do enter the January transfer window for new signings, they will be looking for attacking additions having missed out in the summer.
Leeds sorted out a goalkeeper, new defenders and boast five quality options in central midfield. But in attack, Daniel Farke has had to use a bit of trial and error to get the best out of his attacking options.
Which position do Leeds United need to strengthen most in January?
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Leeds tried to sign Harry Wilson, Igor Paixao and Facundo Buonanotte but failed and that shows, even Leeds feel they are light in attack. The move to 3-5-2 is Farke showing his wide options aren’t enough.
Plenty have been linked with Leeds since December began. Martin Baturina was the subject of talks while the man who scuppered Leeds’ move to sign Harry Wilson is also an Elland Road target – Tyrique George.
Photo by Dennis Bresser/BSR Agency/Getty ImagesExpert tells Leeds to sign striker with 19 goals in 21
But if Leeds wanted to sign a striker, then the chances are they will have go into Europe to bring in a new forward. One option could be Arne Slot’s record Feyenoord signing, £9m Japan international Ayase Ueda.
The forward, a teammate of Ao Tanaka at international level, has been immense this season. A record of 19 goals in 21 games and 18 in 15 Eredivisie games. Ueda scored four in his last league game on Sunday.
European expert Andy Brassell was speaking to TalkSPORT on Thursday about Ueda, and reckons Ueda is perfect for Leeds: “I wonder if a bottom-half Premier League team has a dart for him next summer.
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“Or maybe even as early as January, depending on where they’re at. He’s kind of got Leeds written all over him. There’s a lot to like about them, but where are the guys putting it in the back of the net?
“There are big question marks over [Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha]. “In January, there will be a couple of bottom-half Premier League clubs that have a dart for him. I’d be really surprised if that wasn’t the case.”
Which player would you be happy for Leeds to sell in January to fund their transfer business? Let us know in the comments… 🤔💰
The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke’s plans.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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Ueda would be a top signing, but it ends Joel Piroe’s stay
Piroe is already likely to be considering the exit door at Elland Road, having seen Noah Okafor replace him Lukas Nmecha in the starting line-up on Saturday night instead of himself, naturally a centre-forward.
That was damning for Piroe and while he is still getting game time, another striker signing simply shows Piroe that Leeds don’t believe he has what it takes to score goals in the Premier League this season.
Piroe has already asked his agents to scour the market in case he needs to go and the signing of Ueda pushes him closer to the exit door, if he’s not already there. Leeds must think carefully what they want.
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