Leeds United could want two new January transfers with ‘replacement’ on cards
Dean Jones has said that Leeds United should be looking to complete two loan signings in the January transfer window, including a deal for a Junior Firpo “replacement”.
The Whites sit third in the Championship after 20 matches, seven points away from Ipswich Town in the automatic promotion places and will be looking to add quality to their side in the January window to close the gap to the top two.
Having spent heavily during the summer transfer window, Daniel Farke’s side are more likely to operate in the loan market instead with Jone suggesting a replacement for Firpo and an attacking player will be the ideal targets.
Speaking to Give Me Sport (11 December) he said: “If there is space for Leeds to do two loans, then it is something they should be looking to do.
“You probably feel that if Firpo, for example, does end up moving on, one of the best ways to replace him in that squad, for now, is to bring in a loan signing and then look at it again in the summer and see where you are.
“The loan market is a fantastic opportunity for a team in Leeds’ current position. The January market is always better for loans than for permanent deals. If Leeds can get this right, they’ll be right in the promotion mix, and they can get themselves up.
“There’s probably going to be a Firpo-type replacement, and then there’s always going to be the tendency to go for an attacker that can somehow add some goals into the mix.”
Finally a left-back
Leeds United have needed a left-back for years and it seems as though the Whites may finally look to address the most glaring weakness in their squad and look to sign a new left-sided defender in January.
Both Sam Byram and Firpo are incredibly talented defenders, especially in the Championship, but they have both had their own injury issues both this season and earlier in their careers so Farke cannot rely on them for the entirety of a campaign.
The loan market in January offers the best value for money as typically players’ values massively increase as clubs don’t want to sell their best talent, however, new players often become available on loan having not played in the first half of the season.
Leeds will be hoping that they can repeat their Joe Rodon magic when the new year rolls around and if they make the right signings, it could be the difference between the playoffs and automatic promotion.
In other Leeds United news, Luke Ayling could save his career at Elland Road after Farke’s latest frustration involving Djed Spence