Daniel Farke says he is reluctant to lose anymore players from his Leeds United squad this month.
Darko Gyabi became the third player to seal an Elland Road exit earlier this afternoon as he joined Plymouth Argyle on a season-long-loan, though it is fair to say he was not part of the first team picture.
Djed Spence and Luke Ayling are the two senior players Leeds have let go since the beginning of the window, with the former having his loan from Tottenham cut short, and the latter moving to Middlesbrough.
Charlie Cresswell would appear the most likely to secure a move of Leeds’ first team squad, particularly after what Farke said about him in his press conference earlier today.
However, Farke is taking a different attitude towards attacker Joe Gelhardt, who like Cresswell, has struggled for minutes this season. He says while his situation could change, he does not want to see Gelhardt leave.
Farke hoping to keep Gelhardt
He said: “Joffy [Gelhardt] is a proper part of our [main] group and has played several games. At the moment I’m not tempted to give many more players away. With Djed Spence, that was our decision.
“We want to more-or-less keep the group. We are not tempted to give players away. Perhaps a different situation at the end of January.”
Gelhardt is attracting plenty of interest from other clubs this month, with Old Firm duo Celtic and Rangers, as well as several Championship clubs, keen on a loan deal.
However, Leeds are currently short of options in Gelhardt’s favoured position of number 10, but amid links to David Brooks, there is potential for the Whites to strengthen there.
If a player does come in, that could then give Gelhardt the green light needed to go out on loan, as Farke alluded to. Ultimately at his age, he needs game time.
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