Leeds United transfers as summer deal questioned and former star struggles assessed
The latest transfer talk from Elland Road as Leeds United look to add to their squad during the final two weeks of the January transfer window.
Leeds United are working hard to add to their squad during the final fortnight of the January transfer window and will hope to make at least one more new addition before the winter trading period comes to a close early next month.
The Whites have been linked with a whole host of weird and wonderful names in recent weeks and months - and the latest name said to be ready to move to Elland Road is Werder Bremen star Romano Schmid - although the YEP’s chief football writer Graham Smyth has reported the deal is ‘considered unlikely unless something crazy or unforeseen happens’.
However, one deal that has been completed is a long move for Argentina international Facundo Buonanotte after the Whites agreed a deal with Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion earlier this month. One key figure within the Seagulls setup has given a clear insight into why the deal was agreed and appeared to rule out of the possibility of a permanent move to Elland Road.
Seagulls sporting director Jason Ayto told the club website: “Facundo wants to play and he demonstrated in his loan to Leicester City last season the impact he is able to have in the Premier League when he does. This is a great move for all parties and we looking forward to seeing how he continues his development with Leeds United. We wish him well for the remainder of the season and look forward to welcoming him back in the summer.”
Former Leeds midfielder’s struggles assessed
Joe Rothwell played a big part in Leeds United’s successful push for the Championship title and their subsequent promotion into the Premier League.
The then-Bournemouth midfielder made 39 appearances across all competitions during a season-long loan spell at Elland Road and made 24 starts in the league as Daniel Farke’s men held off the challenge of Burnley to claim the second tier title.
Rothwell returned to Bournemouth after failing to play a part in Leeds’ last seven games of the season and quickly moved on to Scottish giants Rangers in a cut-price deal. Although he has made 20 appearances so far this season, it would be safe to say the midfielder is yet to make a big impact at Ibrox after providing just three assists and failing to find the net during that time. However, former Rangers and Scotland full-back Alan Hutton has given an indication of where he believes Rothwell can improve and identified the main reason why he hasn’t lived up to expectations during the first half of the season.
He told Premier Sports: “He had a great season at Leeds United. You really thought he would come up here and hit the ground running, and it has not quite worked for him. We have seen in flashes what he is capable of but we I just don’t think we’ve seen it enough. He can pick the ball up and drive, we need to see it more. We need to see him switching play and not playing the easy pass all the time. I think that’s what has went wrong so far.”
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