Attacking midfield is an area that Leeds United may look to strengthen in the January window with The Whites lacking competition for USA star Brenden Aaronson.
Graham Smyth has said he expects Leeds to move for a no.10 in January. The position is the one area that Leeds lack both quality and competition in, having failed to sign a rival for Aaronson in the summer.
Plenty have been linked over the last 18 months since Daniel Farke arrived at Leeds. Georginio Rutter left the club in the summer, but Leeds are still not well-equipped despite the return of USA’s Aaronson.
One option in the summer was Lausanne playmaker Alvyn Sanches, with Leeds United said to be battling Celtic and Burnley for £3m-rated Sanches. This season, Sanches has had a hand in 12 goals for Lausanne.
Alvyn Sanches says he will leave Lausanne at the end of 24-25
The playmaker has been on fire in Swiss football, becoming the talisman for a Lausanne side that are providing a surprise title challenge in the Super League, currently sitting in third and a point off first.
His form is likely to see his value go up but with his contract expiring in June 2026, that may halt his price tag following suit. Speaking to Sky Sports, Leeds-linked Sanches says he will leave Lausanne next summer.
“My career plan is quite simple. As a young player, I have to have one: I want to finish the season with my club before being able to transfer to an intermediate club, allowing me to reach the highest level.”
Sanches a cheap solution as Leeds cast eye over Switzerland
Signing a new no.10 is always going to be expensive. So much so, that it is easy to argue that the no.10 position is actually more money to improve than it is to bring in a striker these days, given their impact.
Aaronson is a decent player but thrives off confidence and seemingly, cannot seem to earn enough of that to play to his best level. Leeds are keeping an eye on the Swiss League, after signing Isaac Schmidt.
Sanches might cost a bit more than the originally touted £3m given his form this season but either in January or next summer, Sanches would give Leeds another exciting and top-quality option in the 10.
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