Lukas Nmecha emerges as January transfer target abroad as Leeds United contract runs down

Lukas Nmecha has been linked with a January exit away from Leeds United.

The German striker has struggled to make himself first-choice at Elland Road, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin proving to be a more clinical option.

The 27-year-old has yet to start a Premier League fixture this season, with all six of his appearances arriving off the bench.

And his 16-minute cameo against Manchester United on Sunday was the latest of those brief appearances.

The German will undoubtedly be unhappy with his game time, as most footballers likely would be in his situation.

And now, links abroad are placing the future of the striker in doubt in the lead-up to the winter window.

What has been said about Lukas Nmecha's future?

Nmecha's contract expiring in June 2027 means the German is currently already heading towards the exit door.

However, his departure from Elland Road could arrive much sooner amid reports out of Germany.

According to the print edition of BILD Ruhr Ost on 19 October, Nmecha is a target for a top-flight German side.

Bundesliga outfit, and three-time top-flight winners FC Koln have added the out-of-favour Leeds forward to their transfer list.

The outlet shares that Nmecha is the "most interesting" target, due to his contract expiring at the end of the season, and his lack of minutes.

With the German's deal expiring, the winter window would be the only time that the Elland Road outfit could bring in funds for the striker.

Otherwise, unless a new deal is signed before the summer, Nmecha would depart LS11 on a free transfer.

The events that could lead to Nmecha's exit

Leeds will not want to leave themselves short of options up top, especially in a campaign that has shown early promise of European qualification.

Selling Nmecha would only be feasible should a replacement be brought to LS11 in January.

Allowing him to depart without doing so would jeopardise the work that Daniel Farke has been putting in.

Elland Road chiefs may be tempted by the allure of receiving money for a striker initially brought in for free.

However, qualification for Europe is certainly more valuable than whatever nominal fee the Whites could agree for a striker with six months left on his contract come January.

So, for now, it is a wait-and-see approach to determine what decision is made in the next couple of months.