Leeds United prepare for ‘worst-case scenario’ as winter transfer caution explained
Leeds United brought one first-team player to Elland Road in the winter.
Relegation remains a possibility for Leeds United, and heading into Friday night’s clash with Nottingham Forest, they are just six points clear of it.
The hope was that the Whites would back Daniel Farke in the winter transfer window to ensure that the gap widens, but that wasnt to be the case.
Leeds were left empty-handed in their pursuit of a new striker, while also being unable to bolster their goalkeeping options for the rest of the campaign.
And as for the reasons why they came up short in that regard, PSR has again emerged as a talking point.
Finance expert delivers verdict on Leeds’ reluctance to spend
The winter window had many similarities to the summer window. And perhaps the biggest one is how they both ended in disappointment.
Leeds needed another attacking signing in the summer, but failed to get one over the line, and it was the case again on Monday.
Jorgen Strand Larsen was heavily linked with a move to Elland Road, but the Whites stood strong on their stance that they would not overpay for him, having set a £40million limit on his arrival.
The Norwegian later joined Crystal Palace in a club-record deal worth around £48m.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, finance expert Dan Plumley explained how their reluctance to go overboard may have been down to the ongoing risk of relegation.
He said: “January’s always a bit cautious. Leeds will be looking at that, wanting to be a Premier League club next year, and having to look at the squad-to-cost ratio, but also having one eye on the worst-case scenario, looking at the Championship.
“That also fits in with the narrative of being a little bit cautious.”
49ers are taking a huge gamble at Elland Road
If Leeds can avoid the drop, then almost no one will look back at this winter window as a failed opportunity.
However, if the Whites arent succesful in those attempts, then questions will be asked.
The arrival of another goalscorer would have almost certainly been enough to steer the Whites to safety in the Premier League, but Farke is going to have to make the most of what he has at his disposal.
Survival with such caution would not only be a great achievement, but it would also set them up nicely to spend big in the summer window, and cement their status as a Premier League side, which is something that has become notoriously hard to do over the last few years.
Stay up to date this winter with our Leeds transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Elland Road, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.