(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Tue 7 October 2025 21:00, UK
Leeds United are exploring the market for attacking players ahead of the January window after a stuttering start to the season in front of goal.
United are already working behind the scenes on potential reinforcements amid internal doubts over whether Daniel Farke has the weapons to trouble Premier League defences.
Sources told Football Insider that Illan Meslier could leave Leeds in January which would bring vital funds to be reinvested in Daniel Farke‘s attacking frontline.
It is a position on the pitch that needs desperate reinforcements with Joel Piroe struggling against Tottenham on 4 October, continuing his goalless start to the season.
Credit: ImagoLeeds ramp up interest in Lorenzo Pellegrini to resolve attacking woes
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Whites are exploring the possibility of bringing Lorenzo Pellegrini to Elland Road in January.
Sources told Football Insider that Leeds are targeting a winger and an attacking midfielder in the January transfer window with the Italian ticking that box.
Farke’s sides have mustered up just seven goals in seven Premier League matches and need the 29-year-old’s creativity to revitalise the attack.
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Speaking on the Inside Track podcast over the competition Leeds will likely face to sign the Roma man, I explained: “Due to his contract situation, I think it’ll be more than just Leeds United looking at Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Credit: Imago
“[He’s a] really impressive attacking midfielder, Italian international. If he’s available for a cut price fee in January, there’ll be a number of clubs looking at him, but we do know that Leeds are already in the market for an attacking midfielder.
“They obviously tried to sign Buonanotte from Brighton in the summer window before he ended up going to Chelsea and then obviously other deals that Leeds weren’t able to get done.
“If Daniel Farke wants to bring in an attacking option in January, Pellegrini could be somebody who ticks a lot of boxes due to his contract situation as well.
“But as I said, I think there’ll be a lot of interest in him and it’ll be a difficult race to win for Leeds if Roma do decide to try sell him in January.”
Daniel Farke’s tactics must change if Leeds are to be unleashed as an attacking force
Reflecting on the Peacocks’ delightful Championship-winning 2024-25 campaign, the German manager got the best out of his attack.
Credit: Imago
The Whites scored a league-high 95 goals in 46 matches with Norwich City the closest potent goalscoring side with 71 goals in second place.
Yet, the ex-Canaries boss has opted for a much more cautious approach in the Premier League, often with a defence-first midfield three.
Farke got several decisions wrong for Leeds against Tottenham, including being sloth-like in making attacking changes when chasing for an equalising goal.
If this does not improve, the potential arrival of Pellegrini would do little to drastically change the attacking fluidity of the Whites with the German intent on being too safe with his team selections and play styles in the English top-flight.