Lots of Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after The Athletic’s Phil Hay shared an update on the club’s January transfer plans.
The club are expecting a quiet January window with Director of Football Victor Orta gearing his and his team’s work towards the summer market, as the mid-season window presents a smaller likelihood of successful purchases.
Being tight on cash, currently challenging for automatic promotion and the Daniel James saga from last season are all seen as factors that will indicate towards a quiet January, with what action we do take dictated by the futures of those already at Elland Road.
Jack Clarke is expected to leave West Yorkshire and return to Tottenham Hotspur unless Marcelo Bielsa offers the winger increased game time, while the teenager is also keen to understand where he fits into Jose Mourinho’s plans in North London.
Would Clarke returning to Spurs be a blow?
Yes
No
Eddie Nketiah is another loanee that could leave in January, but the club are hopeful Arsenal do not recall the striker. Nketiah has also not indicated to the Gunners that he would like to head back in January, per The Athletic’s report, despite Unai Emery’s outfit feeling he is not playing enough.
United chiefs have a shortlist of potential replacements in case Nketiah does leave in Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle and Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster, but Bielsa would not be able to offer either any guarantees over the minutes they would play.
Liverpool’s scouting team are also watching Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Ben White regularly, and while they see his aerial talents as a weakness, have been impressed by what he has shown since arriving at Elland Road.
The Seagulls cannot recall the centre-half in January due to the minutes he has played, but their resolve may be tested with a bid as Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City are also watching.
Leeds chiefs also face a decision over our goalkeeper situation, with the club open to signing a new ‘keeper if Kiko Casilla is charged by the Football Association following allegations of racial abuse, although Bielsa is ready to back FC Lorient loanee Illan Meslier to deputise for the Spaniard.
Here are some of the reactions offered to Hay’s January transfer update…
Guarantee we’ll end up a player or two short for the run in
— Colin Weir (@Official_ColinW) November 29, 2019
If Eddie goes back which I hope he doesn’t then too save on another loan in the striker department get Edmondson in
Cheaper option than some ‘name’
Mot— paul mortimer (@paulmortimer43) November 29, 2019
if any of them happen . we will suffer big time . cant see replacements as good coming in
— Scottyp78 (@Scottyp782) November 29, 2019
Our hopes on going up are over if Bamford is our only hope and Eddie and Jack are gone…He works hard but he does not look like scoring in bulk.
— Dave D ⛺🇬🇧🚵 (@YorkshireDaveUK) November 29, 2019
Keep having to explain this, Bielsa likes to do all his work pre-season as it takes a while for players to get up to scratch, any signings in Jan would not come into the side for a few weeks, unless we have injuries or someone is recalled no one will come in, it’s his way
— CMD (@mudballs63) November 29, 2019
So basically Radz has Learnt nothing from last January
— Matt 💙💛 (@MWJS82) November 29, 2019
To be honest I don’t see any of these parent clubs wanted to recall thier players whilst been nurtured under Marcelo. Eddie you could say will play more regular elsewhere but he may as well be at Leeds and be part of a squad that’s getting promoted, he’s got a part to play.
— Silky (@silkyjohn30) November 29, 2019
I do think we need to strengthen tho in two departments tho.
Centre half most definitely.
Looks berardi on his way out at end of season and tbh I’m not his biggest fan at centre half even tho he’s been a great servent over the year’s to Leeds.Really want a goalscoring CAM.
— Benjamin Thornton (@BenjaminTlufc) November 29, 2019
Most of this depends on other clubs. Really out of our hands. I’m sure club already in discussion with all 3 clubs. Not sure Brighton will want to sell but liverpool could offer big. Leefs will be prepared. If all stay I not see any recruitment.
— peter-maurice (@petermauriceuk) November 29, 2019