MOT View: Financial insight could highlight quiet January for Leeds
Recent events at Leeds United could have made many believe that they need to add a couple of fresh faces in the January transfer window.
The 3-3 draw against Cardiff City highlighted a potential weakness regarding the depth in midfield. Both Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw were injured and it proved that Leeds had little option to rotate.
Shackleton is set to return soon so that could solve that problem but Leeds have a fresh one now with Pablo Hernandez going off injured against Fulham.
Regardless, Leeds aren’t expected to be busy in the January window – and whether or not that could come back to haunt them is up for discussion.
A well-placed Championship source recently opened up on the financial restrictions on certain sides this season to Athletic journalist Stuart James.
“Reading, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday… I think clubs are waiting to see what happens to those three, whilst there are also a number of others who could fail (the profit and sustainability rules) this season,” he said.
“So I think there is this really strange period where people are wondering if FFP might have teeth and thinking, ‘We daren’t risk that it might’.”
So, it could be a quiet January for many clubs, not only for Leeds but for the entire Championship midway through the campaign.
Having seen that many teams have taken notice of recent decisions in the football league, Leeds could look for loan deals should they add any fresh faces at Elland Road.
The Whites already have one more loan than is permitted in a matchday squad, so some would have to be ended to make space for a new signing.
Both Eddie Nketiah and Jack Clarke are rumoured to be considered for recalls by their parent clubs Arsenal and Tottenham, and any incomings would surely depend on their futures.
In other Leeds United news, ‘From what I know’ – Phil Hay shares details of Bielsa contract at Leeds