Leeds United’s January transfer window is certainly going to be a lot quieter than the summer.
Daniel Farke has already promised Leeds won’t be doing much business next month but has insisted they will remain ‘awake’ to any potential opportunities.
Incomings at Elland Road may actually depend on who leaves the club, with Illan Meslier, Joe Gelhardt and Max Wober all having been linked with exits.
Considering both Meslier and Wober are now important parts of the squad, it is unlikely either of those two depart. However, Gelhardt looks almost certain to seal a loan switch.
With Leeds in a promotion battle, Farke has already said he doesn’t want to do anything that could potentially impact the balance of the squad, particularly after a summer where they lost some pretty long-serving players.
Jamie Shackleton struggling after leaving Leeds for Sheffield United
Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas and Jamie Shackleton were the quartet of long-serving players to call time on their careers at Leeds after several years together at the club.
Cooper has impressed since joining CSKA Sofia, while Ayling is performing well at Middlesbrough after his loan spell there during the second half of last season. Dallas, of course, retired.
However, things haven’t quite gone as planned for Shackleton since his decision to leave Leeds for Sheffield United on a free transfer.
Shackleton cited the opportunity of more game time at Bramall Lane as the reason behind making the move, which was fair enough considering how little he played at Leeds last season.
Unfortunately for him, though, minutes have been just as hard to come by at the Blades, as he has started just twice in the Championship since his move.
Incidentally, one of those actually came away at Leeds back in October, where he really struggled at right-back in a 2-0 defeat.
What next for Shackleton at Sheffield United?
Shackleton’s Sheffield United are currently battling against Leeds for those automatic promotion spots in the Championship and look well on course for an immediate return to the Premier League.
But the ‘fantastic‘ Shackleton will be frustrated at his lack of involvement, particularly now he has dropped to third choice right-back behind Alfie Gilchrist and Femi Seriki.
Sheffield United already have a small squad as it is and so there is little chance of Shackleton looking to leave in January, but the summer may represent a different kettle of fish.
If Chris Wilder’s side do go onto win promotion as expected, then it is likely Shackleton would have to look for another new club, considering he is struggling to even play in the Championship.
He certainly has plenty to offer at this level, but just needs to find the right place where he can go and show that.
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