Leeds United may already have an eye on the January transfer window which will open in just a few days time
Leeds United could add to their ranks in the January transfer window(Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
The January transfer window is fast approaching and Leeds United are already being linked with several potential new signings. Now that Christmas has come and gone, there are just a few days to go before United are able to go into the market for new recruits.
Daniel Farke’s side are currently in 16th place in the Premier League table and have a six-point cushion on the relegation zone heading into the busy festive schedule.
Leeds will travel to face Sunderland on Sunday before making another trip to take on reigning champions Liverpool on New Year’s Day in their first match of 2026.
There are just days to go until the January transfer window opens, and there have been plenty of rumours that have emerged ahead of the New Year.
READ MORE: Leeds United make transfer decision as player heads out on loan for the seasonREAD MORE: Alan Shearer questions ‘what’s the word coming to?’ amid Leeds United fixture decision
Here, Leeds Live takes a look at some of the latest Leeds United transfer news and gossip that has emerged over the last 24 hours…
Leeds handed defender update
Leeds have been handed a major update regarding the future of RB Leipzig star El Chadaille Bitshiabu.
United have previously been linked with the Leipzig defender – valued at around £13m by the website transfermarkt – ahead of the January window, and have now been handed an update.
According to Fussball Transfers, Leipzig are refusing to let Bitshiabu leave the club on a permanent deal in the New Year, but would be interested in a loan move if an opportunity presented itself.
It remains to be seen if Leeds will look to strengthen their defensive options, with maintaining their Premier League status likely to be a driving force behind any potential deals in January.
El Chadaille Bitshiabu of RB Leipzig has been linked with Leeds (Image: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Leeds Live says: The January window presents an opportunity to Leeds, but it’s still unclear as to whether or not Bitshiabu is a genuine target for the club. If the 20-year-old is a player of interest, a loan deal with the potential for negotiating an option to buy or reviewing the defender’s future in the summer could be the best way to get things done.
Leeds star ‘wanted’ by former club
Sebastiaan Bornauw could be heading for the exit door at Leeds in January, according to a recent report.
German media outlet Bild have claimed that Bornauw’s former club, FC Koln, have held internal talks regards signing the United defender in the New Year.
Bornauw only moved to Elland Road in the summer from Wolfsburg, but has been restricted to just three appearances all season and has only played two minutes in the Premier League across the same number of games.
Despite Koln apparently having an interest in the Leeds star, it has also been claimed that only a loan deal would be possible in January if a move was to be completed.
Leeds Live says: Bornauw’s time as a Leeds player has not gone fully to plan, with injuries also preventing the player from getting the game time he would have desired. However, a January exit seems far to soon for the defender’s time at Elland Road to come to an end, so it may need to take a substantial offer to get a deal off the ground.
Here at LeedsLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Leeds United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Leeds news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.