(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

49ers must address key Leeds United weak link for Daniel Farke on deadline day

Niall Togher

Niall is a lifelong Leeds United supporter who began reporting on MOT Leeds News in July 2025 after initially joining Breaking Media a month earlier. He graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a first class degree in Sports Journalism in 2024 and has covered Leeds for multiple other websites. After attending Elland Road for the first time as a youngster with United in League One, Niall hopes to see Leeds reclaim their spot in the Champions League and get back to competing for the Premier League.

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Leeds United urgently need to conduct some business on transfer deadline day.

The Whites have made a solid start to the new Premier League campaign, amassing four points from their opening three games.

Leeds draw against Newcastle at Elland Road is a fantastic result for Daniel Farke's men, but whether results like these are sustainable without more new arrivals joining the West Yorkshire outfit remains to be seen.

The 49ers need to address one weak link in Farke's squad, in particular, with Leeds desperately needing to conduct some more deadline-day business.

Daniel Farke looks gloomy on Leeds United touchline
Farke will be aware of the deficincies his side have up top (Credit: Imago)

Right-winger needed at Elland Road before transfer window closes

Whilst Leeds won't want to bring in any old winger like they did previously with Jordan Botaka on deadline day, more reinforcements out on that right flank are definitely required.

Leeds have lacked that cutting edge in the final third so far this season, with attackers such as Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James failing to have a significant impact on games.

  • Leeds' only goal so far in their opening three games has been a penalty from Lukas Nmecha against Everton
  • The Whites only created a 0.69 xG at Elland Road against Newcastle
  • This is following on from the 0.17 xG they created in their 5-0 thrashing when they faced Arsenal

James, in particular, has seemingly struggled to adapt to the Premier League so far, showcasing the 49ers' need to invest in someone who can play out wide on the right.

Facundo Buonanotte would have been a perfect addition, but the Argentinian is just the latest in a long line of missed targets for Leeds this summer.

Leeds United winger Dan James
James has been poor so far this season (Credit: Imago)

49ers need to make a statement

With the likes of Igor Paixao being the calibre of signing that was linked with a move to Leeds earlier in the window, this same calibre of signing has to be brought in or the 49ers risk an uprising from the Elland Road faithful.

If a deal for Manor Solomon is now agreed for example, and Gnonto moves over to that right-wing, this would be a move that stinks of desperation from the Whites, as they look as though they will have to settle on a last-ditch deal for a Championship-level talent.

If Solomon was a priority target, Leeds would have secured his signature on a permanent basis earlier in the window, but if they go back in for him now, it just goes to show how the 49ers have failed to land the big names they have been linked to throughout the summer.

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