Leeds United ‘dodge huge transfer bullet’ as bombshell injury news emerges
Daniel Farke welcomed no new faces to the Leeds United squad before the winter transfer window slammed shut on 3 February.
The Whites’ lack of activity in the transfer market frustrated many supporters at Elland Road, with some suggesting it showed a lack of urgency to run away with the Championship title.
However, with Farke’s side currently topping the league table after 31 matches, above the likes of Burnley, Sheffield United and Sunderland, making additions is always risky at this point in the season.
That is not to say that Leeds were not linked with any players last month. Southampton duo Cameron Archer and Adam Armstrong were both subject to interest from the Whites.
While Joel Piroe has notched 13 goals and five assists this season, it still feels like an out-and-out No.9 is missing from the squad, but Farke needs to make absolutely sure the incoming figure is right for the team.
In the end, Leeds ended the window with an almost-identical squad, with only Charlie Crew and Joe Gelhardt leaving on loan, and that decision now looks to be the correct one.
Marc Guiu injury bombshell emerges at Chelsea
Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu was one of the names linked with a last-gasp move to Elland Road, as per The Sun on Sunday, with West Brom and Middlesbrough also interested in his signature.
The Championship trio look to have dodged a bullet, though, with Enzo Maresca now confirmed that the 19-year-old Spaniard could be sidelined for weeks or months with a new injury [BBC Sport].
With six goals in his first 13 appearances for the Blues, there is no doubt that Guiu would have been an ideal addition to the Leeds squad, but having him sidelined at Elland Road would be a huge blow.
Farke has already been without veteran Patrick Bamford for the majority of the campaign. Adding another name to the treatment table would have just wasted funds, and energy, and caused frustration.
Leeds United ready to fire all the way to Premier League glory
Farke needed the right figure to bring into Elland Road.
Guiu was clearly not the striker needed by the Whites and that transfer stance has now been confirmed after, what could be, a season-ending injury was sustained at Stamford Bridge.
Leeds have caught a lot of flack for the decision not to make any signings during the winter window, but Piroe, Brenden Aaronson, Dan James and Manor Solomon are firing on all cylinders.
If Farke fails to lead the club to Premier League promotion for the second time of asking, there will be questions to answer, but it could be a stroke of genius if Leeds are playing in the top tier next season.