EXCLUSIVE: Leeds United's January transfer priority identified with relegation battle caveat
Leeds United have five-and-a-half weeks before the January window opens and Daniel Farke's squad can be strengthened.
Former Leeds United defender Danny Mills believes goals must be the priority when it comes to January additions - but warns getting the right level of quality in mid-season will not be simple.
Leeds fell short in their attempts to bring Daniel Farke’s attack up to Premier League levels, with £18million winger Noah Okafor the only fee-paying arrival in that area of the pitch. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha both arrived as free agents while Jack Harrison returned from a loan spell at Everton.
Those shortcomings have been plainly evident this season, with Wolves the only Premier League team to score fewer than Leeds’ 11 goals. Farke’s side have regularly been on top in games but failed to capitalise before momentum swings and points are dropped.
There are still five weeks and six Premier League fixtures to come before the January window opens but eyes are already turning to where Leeds could strengthen. And Mills insists the priority must be on addressing those issues in attack.
“In January, you look at strikers and players that are going to score goals and make a difference,” Mills told the YEP. “I think that's going to be the case [at Leeds]. Obviously Nmecha has got three goals now.
“Is Dominic Calvert-Lewin gonna score 15 to 20 goals between now and the end of the season? It looks unlikely. So where are those goals? Every point is a goal, effectively, so Leeds are going to need another 25 goals. Where are they going to come from?
“Goalscorers are important. Teams can be organised. You can keep clean sheets, you can keep it tight. If you can even keep it down to one, you've got a chance. So strikers will be a position they're always looking for.”
Danny Mills sets out Leeds United January transfer challenge
Finding the right man will not be easy, however, not least because according to managing director Robbie Evans, Leeds are already right at the limit of their maximum permitted losses with regard to Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Having dropped into the relegation zone following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Elland Road chiefs will also have difficulty convincing top-level difference-makers to join mid-season.
“I think it's always a gamble, and I said this about all the promoted sides. At the start of the season, you have to be realistic,” Mills added, speaking courtesy of betting site BetWright. “If you're an owner or you're on a board, history says there's a good chance you get relegated, maybe two out of three get relegated.
“So do you risk everything, buy a whole new team and spend hundreds of millions? Then if you go down, you’re in a major crisis. Leeds have been there before and don't want to do that. And then you think about how to attract top quality players. They're not going to accept relegation clauses where if you go down, you're going to get [wages] cut by 50%. Players that come in for £30-40m are not going to accept that.
“The same will happen in January. If you're down towards the lower end, who wants to come to your football club? Leeds are a big club, I get that, but you're going to be in a relegation battle. So if you're a striker, you're thinking, ‘How many opportunities will I get? How many goal opportunities to score? How many goals am I likely to score in this team?’ Not huge amounts.
“Are you going to get anybody permanently in January? Very unlikely, unless you're paying astronomical transfer fees and obviously their wages as well. So you'll be looking at the loan market. Who can you bring in? Is somebody out of favour elsewhere? Can you steal somebody? Can you use all your contacts within the game to get somebody in?”