4 winners and 2 losers from Leeds United's transfer window with No.9 hope, talisman potential & Farke frustration
Leeds United are now set for the next four months following Monday’s transfer deadline.
Leeds United’s summer strengthening efforts officially came to an end on Monday as the transfer window ceremonially slammed shut. A disappointing deadline day saw Elland Road chiefs make a late push for Harry Wilson but fall victim to a last-minute change of heart from Fulham.
As such, Leeds’ final signing came in the form of James Justin who arrived in a £10million deal from Leicester City on August 25. He was the club’s 10th summer arrival and the one to take spending above the £100m mark, but the feeling come 7pm on Monday was of opportunities missed in attacking areas.
That lack of late-summer business will affect Leeds’ chances of survival but it could also benefit some of the current crop, from a minutes perspective anyway. Plenty of those 10 arrivals have also impressed early on while fringe players have been loaned out, and the YEP takes a look at the window’s winners and losers below.
Anton Stach - Winner
At an initial £17m, the German midfielder was Leeds’ most expensive signing of the summer and has undoubtedly looked the most impressive so far. He’s one of three outfielders to play every Premier League minute and barring injury or suspension, it’s easy to see him remain ever-present right up until May.
Stach arrived under the label of ‘ball-winner’ but has already shown a more varied profile, driving the ball forward, linking up with various wingers and picking the right pass. The 26-year-old is quickly becoming fan favourite for his performances on the pitch and unusually entertaining social media posts off it with definite cult hero potential emerging.
Lukas Nmecha - Winner
As a free agent from VfL Wolfsburg, Nmecha arrived with little fanfare but the former Manchester City man has really impressed and at present, looks to be Leeds’ first-choice striker. The 26-year-old got his first league start against Newcastle and provided some much-needed physicality, while he also has Leeds’ only Premier League goal this season, a confident and well-taken penalty.
If Farke is to adopt a more physical approach, it’s hard to see Joel Piroe nail down a role as first-choice striker and the lack of marquee arrival leaves that position very much up for grabs. If Nmecha can keep himself fit, there’s no reason he can’t stake a claim to be there ahead of fellow free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Willy Gnonto - Winner
If anyone is to benefit from the lack of late-window arrival, it will be Gnonto. The 21-year-old has been Leeds’ most dangerous attacker so far this season - from a low bar, admittedly - and after a couple of years in the shadows of others, could now have the chance to become Farke’s main man going forward.
An ability to play on either side will benefit him greatly, with the Italian looking great in pre-season linking up with either Jayden Bogle or Gabriel Gudmundsson. Gnonto looked great last time Leeds were in the Premier League and has matured massively since, with hope this could be the season he finds the consistency to become a top-level winger.
Jack Harrison - Winner
Few expected to see Harrison wear a Leeds shirt again but the transfer window is closed and he is part of Farke’s squad. Early murmurings of a good attitude in training hinted at reintegration and Largie Ramazani’s loan move to Valencia all but confirmed the two-time Everton loanee would remain in West Yorkshire for the 2025/26 campaign.
That is a win for Harrison. He remains a Premier League player on a Premier League player’s wages, and against Newcastle at least looked able to make a positive impact off the bench. A couple of significant bar tabs helped to ease the tension with supporters and while the relationship is far from repaired, it has improved.
Daniel Farke - Loser
Suggestions Farke has not been backed for a third straight Premier League campaign aren’t entirely accurate, given Leeds have spent more than £100m and for large parts recruited impressively. But they never finished the puzzle and as regularly suggested by the Whites boss, survival will be difficult with this current attacking group.
And should a blunt attack lead to a run of poor results, it will ultimately be Farke who pays the price with his job, as happened at Norwich City. It is now up to him to keep Leeds competitive until January and hope those above him have plans in place to get goals through the door when the window re-opens.
Illan Meslier - Loser
A penny for the thoughts of Illan Meslier, who has gone from first-choice to third or fourth-choice at Leeds in the space of a few months. He wasn’t involved in pre-season once Lucas Perri arrived from Lyon and any matchday presence this season has been as a spectator and nothing more.
Late interest never developed into anything concrete and so Meslier will now spend at least the next four months in the background. He’s still only 25 and should be going into the prime of his career but instead remains in limbo, which on a human level is a really tough break for the Frenchman.