Leeds Utd analysis: Five players Leeds United should sign and sell in the January transfer window
It has been over a fortnight since the January transfer window opened, and Leeds United’s activity so far has been very limited, with zero incomings to date.
Daniel Farke’s side currently sits at the top of the Championship, as the Whites aim to bounce back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
Transfer News Blitz writer Ethan Pitts has evaluated who could be coming in and out of Elland Road this month.
SIGN, Archie Brown
According to the BBC, Leeds United were interested in the left-back throughout last season, and this could be a deal they revisit.
Currently plying his trade at Belgian side Gent, the 22-year-old Derby academy product fits the bill of a traditional Farke left-back.
Brown has 21 appearances for Gent this season, accumulating one goal and three assists from defence, whilst contributing to an impressive eight clean sheets.
With Junior Firpo and Sam Byram in the last six months of their contracts, and very little guarantee either player will extend beyond the 2024/25 season, the time feels right to look towards the future in the left-back department.
Brown is a multi-talented full-back who can contribute in the final third as well as defensively, but his main strength lies in his defensive prowess.
The Englishman averages nearly six duels won a game which is on par with United’s current main full-back, Firpo (6.3) and averages five ball recoveries a game.
The England U20 international would not be a cheap buy by any means, but the acquisition of Brown would be a huge statement of intent by the Championship leaders and could prove to be a worthwhile investment for years to come.
SELL, Patrick Bamford
Patrick Bamford joined Leeds in the summer of 2018 from Middlesborough and has been a mainstay in the side for over half a decade.
However, Bamford has been limited to 10 appearances this season, all of which have come from the bench, and is averaging just 13 minutes a game.
Due to his lack of game time and consistent injury struggles, Bamford currently hasn’t contributed a single goal or assist this season, and is far behind Mateo Joseph and Joel Piroe in the striker department.
Blackburn Rovers are a team heavily linked to the Leeds number nine, and manager, John Eustace, has publicly expressed his interest in the 31-year-old.
He said: “Patrick is a very good player and he’s a consistent performer at this level.
“He’s a player on a long list that we have looked at”.
With Bamford only getting older, the time feels right for both parties to move on, and if Blackburn can afford to abide by Bamford’s hefty wage demands, he can be a potent threat in a side challenging for the play-offs.
SIGN, Carney Chukwuemeka
As reported by the Daily Mail, loan avenues are being discussed for Carney Chukwuemeka, with Chelsea keen to continue his development elsewhere.
Currently a squad player for the Blues, Chukwuemeka is undergoing a frustrating time this season, as the former England U20 international has been frozen out of Chelsea’s squad.
The midfielder has made zero appearances in the Premier League and only one start in Chelsea’s conference league campaign.
Chukwuemeka’s main strength is his creativity and ball-carrying ability, something that Leeds could benefit from in the number ten position.
There is a consensus within the United fanbase that the attacking-midfield position is one the side can improve in
Anchored by Brendan Aaronson’s two assists in 26 games for the Whites this season, a more creative-minded midfielder to rival the American could help Leeds in their promotion aims.
However, although this signing does not border on the line of complete unrealism, it will take a lot for the Whites to prize Chukwuemeka towards a move on loan to the Championship, with the Englishman linked with plenty of top sides.
Chukwuemeka would be a huge coup for Leeds and a potential move would give him the chance to play regularly in a team which could enhance his development.
SELL/LOAN, James Debayo
James Debayo joined Leeds in 2021 from Watford and has yet to make a start for the Whites.
The centre-back has been limited to one appearance for the club this season, which came as a substitute appearance against Swansea in the dying embers of the game.
Despite being a mainstay on the United bench this season, the defender has been unable to force Farke’s hand, and therefore it feels right for Debayo to go out and get some first-team football under his belt.
We have seen United loan out a plethora of young talent so far this January, most notably Charlie Crew and Joseph Gelhardt to Doncaster and Hull respectively.
With the central defender’s omission in Saturday’s cup tie at home to Harrogate Town, there is an increased feeling that Debayo might be the next youngster to depart the club on loan.
SIGN, Tyler Morton
James Pearce has confirmed today that Tyler Morton is a candidate to depart Liverpool this window.
Despite impressing in his limited cup appearances this season, Morton has accumulated zero Premier League minutes this year, as Slot has preferred the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo to the England U21 international.
Now 22, it feels like it's best for both parties that Morton departs the club to seek the playing time for his career development, whether that be on loan, or on a permanent basis.
Despite having the best defensive record in the Championship this season, amounting to 14 clean sheets in 26 games, Leeds’ defensive depth is sparse, especially on the right-hand side, a position Morton can play.
Standing at six-foot-one-inches tall, Morton has the physical qualities to slot into United’s defence when required and will add further depth to a midfield that has been plagued by injuries throughout the season.
Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.
