Phil Hay moots two new Leeds United signings as Elland Road financial situation detailed
Daniel Farke will not be under pressure to sell any players in January due to Leeds United enjoying strong financial stability, according to Phil Hay.
Writing on The Athletic website on Thursday (23 November), Hay mooted two potential new signings in the full-back and attacking midfield positions but admitted that the club’s biggest fear for January will be potentially losing key players.
Crysencio Summerville [Fabrizio Romano] and Willy Gnonto [Corriere dello Sport] are among the Leeds players linked with a move away from Elland Road.
However, Hay believes Leeds won’t be forced into sales for the sake of boosting their coffers.
“Leeds could be stronger at full-back and the No 10 area but they are not lacking a great deal,” Hay said.
“The two threats to them would be injuries or January bids that prise key players away from Elland Road.
“Financially, Leeds do not appear to be under major pressure to sell and Farke will insist that they resist offers.
“In terms of injuries, Sam Byram at left-back and Joe Rodon at centre-back are some of those who have to stay fit. But without question, Leeds are nicely set up.”
No need to panic
It’s hard to see Leeds doing too much in the January transfer window, in all honesty.
The 49ers could see it one of two ways. They could be happy with how Farke’s side is performing and have full confidence that as long as this squad sticks together, they’ll win promotion to the Premier League.
Or, the Americans could go all in on helping improve Farke’s options as much as possible so that promotion is also a shoo-in for the Yorkshire club.
That last approach is risky because if the promotion bid does crumble, the Whites will be left ruing what would have been an unnecessary spend when it’s already difficult for relegated teams to balance the books after dropping into the Championship.
If we’re in the top two for most of January or are just on the verge of breaking into it, we doubt there’ll be much business done as long as no one key to the team is sold.
If someone like Summerville does move on, that money will need to be reinvested. However, it’s hard to say the same about Gnonto because he’s not been as vital in the Championship this season.
In other Leeds United news, journalist Alan Nixon has raged at the latest news from Premier League club Everton, with a Whites legal claim issued.