The last few days of the January transfer window look set to be busy period for Leeds United and perhaps crucial in Daniel Farke’s bid to secure automatic promotion.
Following Monday night’s draw with Burnley, Daniel Farke hinted that Leeds were close to a new signing. He said that he had not checked his phone in six hours, suggesting there may be some new updates.
Leeds have been linked with a few players in the last week. Isaac Schmidt’s old mate Willem Geubbels is a target for Leeds, while Kelechi Iheanacho has been touted with a return to England and Elland Road.
Another player Leeds are after is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 35-time England star is keen on leaving Besiktas despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handing him a start over the weekend and Leeds are interested.
Besiktas identify Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replacement
Oxlade-Chamberlain has endured his injury problems since joining Besiktas, only managing six outings for the SuperLig outfit this season. The former Liverpool and Arsenal man has only started two matches.
Leeds are not alone in their interest in signing Oxlade-Chamberlain, with Wolves and Leicester also keen on returning him to English football. The lure of the Premier League may tempt the versatile Englishman.
But it seems Besiktas are planning for life without Oxlade-Chamberlain. Turkish website Fotomac report that Solskjaer’s new side are planning to a loan deal to sign Barcelona talent Ansu Fati this window.
Raphinha has played a part in Ansu Fati’s downfall at Barcelona
Fati broke into the Barcelona side and was deemed the next Lionel Messi, scoring goals and even donning Messi’s famous no.10 shirt. But Raphinha’s arrival saw Fati’s game time dwindle, and he went on loan.
Just four goals in 27 games for Brighton last season saw Fati return to Barcelona in the summer, and he has since managed just eight appearances this term. The Spain star is now likely to leave Barca on loan.
With Raphinha starring on Barcelona’s right and Lamine Yamal on the left, there is no place for Fati to get game time. Besiktas are keen and a move to Turkey allows Leeds to do a deal for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
A player that Jurgen Klopp described as “sensational” as per BBC Sport after his goals for Liverpool in a 4-1 win over Genk. He might be injury prone but at just 31, there is still life in the Besiktas midfielder yet.
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