By Mark Smith

23rd Nov, 2021 | 4:10pm

Marcelo Bielsa in last Leeds season, Ross Barkley wanted in January

Leeds United are in pole position to sign Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley in the upcoming January transfer window.

That’s according to Fichajes, who report that the playmaker is certainly set to change clubs in the winter market.

More interestingly, they suggest that Marcelo Bielsa is in the final year of his stunt at Elland Road, insinuating he will be done after this season.

In what looks like a farewell month, Bielsa looks set to give in to the demands of thousands of fans at Elland Road.

January signings are a sensitive subject, but it looks as though this could be the turning point and new faces are on the agenda.

Victor Orta also doesn’t like to act in that month, but injuries are really starting to take their toll on this squad.

Look at those available at Spurs, Stuart McKinstry came off the bench with 15-year-old Archie Gray travelling to London.

Although a brilliant moment, those types of players aren’t going to be the difference between relegation and staying in the Premier League.

Needed.

Even if Barkley does arrive, you would think that another midfielder is also needed – someone who can play a little deeper.

The England international could add great depth in the final third behind the striker, but he won’t be one to do the hard yards defensively.

Bielsa will try and instil that into his game, but it won’t happen immediately and given it looks as though he is in his final season at Elland Road, we may never see it.

Barkley proved at Aston Villa last season that when given regular football, he can make a real difference and this loan move could really kickstart his career yet again.

The Whites are on the edge of the relegation zone and wins are needed, and given our injury situation, fresh faces are desperately needed to help that.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to make major January signings with unexpected deals to force action