Fernandez set to sign officially today – Three deals Leeds United should complete in January
Leeds United are bound to be busy in the transfer window this month due to the number of injuries Marcelo Bielsa’s had to contend with this season.
Bielsa has seen his defence, midfield and striker options almost completely depleted in spells while players like Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper are set to spend even longer on the sidelines due to their injury problems.
Here, MOT Leeds News has looked at three deal that Leeds should complete in the now-open January transfer window:
John Swift – Reading
Leeds have needed to add to their midfield options for a long time now. Adam Forshaw’s return to fitness and return to form has been a massive boost but that shouldn’t cover up the fact that our midfield options are light. Phillips’ injury blow and Mateusz Klich’s poor form means that Bielsa simply needs to sign a player like Reading’s John Swift. Speaking on The Phil Hay Show on 17 December, The Athletic journalist reported that Bielsa likes Swift, who’s 26-years-old and capable of playing in a central midfield role, on the left or as a No 10. He’s assisted nine goals and scored eight of his own for Reading in the Championship this term and his contract is up in the summer. A lot about this one makes sense.
Brenden Aaronson – Red Bull Salzburg
Newly-linked with Leeds, USA international Brendon Aaronson is a left-field pick who Bielsa could do with adding to his squad. The Sunday People reported in their print edition (page 59, 26 December) that Aaronson is an athletic midfielder who’ll fit into Bielsa’s system and could be targetted to provide back-up for the injured Phillips. Aaronson has been in great form in Austria. He’s scored three goals and assisted seven in 26 appearances across all competitions this term. Most impressively, he played a key role in Salzburg’s qualification to the Champions League knockout rounds.
Mateo Fernandez – Espanyol
Patrick Bamford’s had his injury issues this season, as has Rodrigo, and while Joe Gelhardt is breaking through at Elland Road, Bielsa could still do with reinforcements up front. Mateo Fernandez is an 18-year-old Spanish striker who’s yet to make a senior appearance for Espanyol. Leeds have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Fernandez already with the Daily Mail claiming on 4 December that he “is expected to officially join” on 1 January. That means that by the end of today, Fernandez should be a Leeds player.
In other Leeds United news, a left-field signing is on the cards at Elland Road with an Orta masterstroke mooted.