Leeds United are yet to make a signing in the January transfer window, but there is still hope amongst fans that the club will bring in at least one new addition before deadline day.
A lack of winter additions is common for Leeds, especially in recent years. Last season, manager Daniel Farke signed just one player in January, right-back Conor Roberts on a loan deal until the end of the campaign.
This year, it is a similar scenario for the West Yorkshire side. Leeds currently sit top of the Championship table and have a chance to extend the gap between themselves and third to six points when they take on Burnley at Turf Moor.
There has been much speculation surrounding Aston Villa playmaker Emiliano Buendia and a potential loan switch to Leeds, after Unai Emery stated that Buendia could leave Villa earlier in January for more minutes.
Since the Spaniard said this, though, the 28-year-old has featured more prominently for the Villans, starting in their Champions League clash against Monaco. Buendia has also agreed to a contract extension, which will keep him in Birmingham for another year.
Links to Buendia suggest that Farke is looking for a number 10 to offer Brenden Aaronson some support in that position, though the American has enjoyed a solid opening half of the season.
| Appearances | 28 |
| Games Started | 26 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 2 |
Earlier in January, Farke made clear his desire for more signings this winter. If not Buendia, though, which other attacking midfielders could Leeds target before the February 3rd transfer deadline?
Diego Luna
Leeds have held a long-term interest in Diego Luna, who would offer Farke a capable supporting option to Aaronson if and when the former RB Salzburg man needs a rest.
The 21-year-old has played for Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake since 2022, and enjoyed a breakout season last year, racking up 17 goal contributions as he was named the Young Player of the Season in America’s footballing top flight.
Luna has impressed USA manager Mauricio Pochettino too and was called up for his international debut last year. As such a young player, Luna would be a signing that Leeds could develop even further, were they to acquire his services.
Alvyn Sanches
Another player that the Whites could look to recruit in order to bolster their ranks at the number 10 position is Alvyn Sanches. It has been confirmed that Sanches is a definite transfer target for Leeds.
It would cost United around £7 million to convince Lausanne-Sport to part ways with Sanches, where he has played since making his professional debut in 2020.
Still just 21 years of age, Sanches is comfortable playing either as a 10, a forward or on either flank. Such versatility may sway Farke into giving the green light for a move. It is likely that Aaronson will remain a starter, so Sanches as a bench option would offer solid cover across Leeds’ entire attack.
Louie Barry
A final alternative to Emi Buendia is his Aston Villa teammate, Louie Barry. A name that has been known since his 2019 move to Barcelona as a youth player, Barry became a senior player in the Midlands in 2021 and has since been out on a string of loans.
He has particularly blossomed this season with Stockport County, so much so that Villa recalled him earlier in the month with a view of sending him to a team in a higher division to develop quicker.
Barry has been on Leeds’ radar for some time and would be an ideal solution to the question of cover for Aaronson at the number 10. Though it appears Leeds are behind Middlesbrough in the race for Barry, he would still represent a brilliant bit of business if Leeds can get the deal over the line.
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