Leeds United January transfer window state of play as winger talks progress with Serie A club

The Whites are not expecting to do a huge amount of business in the January transfer window. When it comes to strengthening Farke's squad for the relegation run-in, Elland Road sources expect their activity to be limited to one or two new faces if they can secure their priority targets. The YEP understands that although Sebastiaan Bornauw pulled up with what Daniel Farke hoped was a minor adductor injury on Sunday, the recruitment possibilities for this month are still mainly attackers. Last week the YEP reported that despite suggestions elsewhere that a move was imminent, Union Berlin centre-back Danilho Doekhi was simply a player the recruitment team had looked at and Leeds’ interest had gone no further.

Since the summer window ended without the arrival of a right wing/10 blend that vacancy remains, but the importance of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the targetman role has given Leeds more to think about in terms of where they most need depth. Right now there is nothing imminent however, with a number of options described as 'slow burning' deals that could accelerate if things fall into place.

But there will likely be outgoing business too and Leeds are in talks over a deal that would take winger Jack Harrison to Fiorentina, currently engaged in their own relegation battle in Italy. Fiorentina sit third from bottom in the Italian top flight having won just two of their 20 league games so far this season. They're one point ahead of bottom side Verona, having played a game more and only five teams in the division have scored fewer goals.

It is possible that the two clubs look to complete a loan deal with a view to a permanent and though the fine details have not yet been ironed out, there is confidence at Elland Road that an agreement could be reached to bring an end to Harrison's time at Leeds.

Harrison has had just one minute of Premier League action in Leeds' last 10 outings, sitting on the bench as an unused sub for eight of those and sitting out altogether against Aston Villa. Prior to that he made one start and nine substitute appearances in the league but is yet to register a goal or assist. The summer arrival of Noah Okafor pushed Harrison down the pecking order upon his return from successive loan spells at Everton, and Farke's switch to a back three with wing-backs has suited Gabriel Gudmundsson more than it would the Marcelo Bielsa era favourite.

On Sunday Harrison was given a rare start in the FA Cup game at Derby County, albeit as a left wing-back, but endured yet more frustration. He was wayward or unsuccessful with 10 crosses and only really able to create danger once with a pinpoint delivery in the side's 3-1 win. The form that made him a regular supplier of goals and assists in the Premier League prior to the club's 2023 relegation has continued to elude him since that ill-fated campaign and it has become difficult to see where he will get match minutes if he remains at Leeds. Harrison was booed by his own supporters in the summer when he returned, having twice exercised a loan exit clause in his contract that was triggered by relegation, but received backing from Farke who appreciated the 29-year-old's work ethic and versatility.

As far as other outgoing transfer activity is concerned there is currently nothing else expected, though obviously things can change in the second half of a window. As yet there has been no real interest in a move for goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and while there are suitors at home and abroad for Joel Piroe the club is not pushing him towards the door and they believe he wants to stay and prove he can cut it at the top level.