Leeds United failed to bring in competition for Brenden Aaronson towards the end of the January transfer window, and it has left Daniel Farke with just one natural option for the no.10 role.
With Aaronson struggling to recapture his Red Bull Salzburg form since returning to Elland Road after a loan at Union Berlin, Leeds could make a move to bring in another attacking midfielder next month.
Graham Smyth expects Leeds to move for a no.10, likely a loan deal from a Premier League club. Below, we look at five potential options Leeds could consider going into the January window from the top tier.
Five Premier League no.10’s Leeds could try to sign in January
James McAtee – Manchester City
Pep Guardiola chose to keep £20m McAtee at The Etihad in the summer after Angus Kinnear confirmed Leeds had shown interest in McAtee. But, his game time has been poor since and could consider an exit.
The England U21 skipper is a Premier League-standard player, with 12 clubs trailing McAtee. Leeds are one of them but a move could hinge on McAtee’s showdown talks with Guardiola ahead of January.
Fabio Carvalho – Brentford
Another player Leeds have been regularly linked with is Carvalho, back in January before his loan to Hull and then prior to his £27m move to Brentford. But his game time under Thomas Frank has been meagre.
Just two Premier League starts have come Carvalho’s way this season. But, he is a player that Frank often turns to off the bench and it is likely that Frank will want to keep him for the second half of 2024-25.
Emi Buendia – Aston Villa
Daniel Farke’s former Norwich star, Argentina international Buendia is some way down the pecking order at Aston Villa. Another player linked with Leeds in the summer, Buendia actually rejected a move to Leeds.
But his game time has not improved during the first half of the season even with Aston Villa in Europe. He might be tempted to leave in January, and where better than a reunion with the manager that made him?
Julio Enciso – Brighton
Paraguay star Enciso burst onto the scene last term, when he had a hand in eight goals in 32 top-tier outings for Brighton. Eagly-eyed fans will remember his storming goal for Brighton against Man City.
This season, just seven Premier League games have come for Enciso with Georginio Rutter pushing him down the pecking order. A total of 151 minutes and he will surely be available for a loan in January.
Conor Chaplin – Ipswich Town
There is little chance that Chaplin will want to leave Ipswich in January but he is struggling for game time. He had a hand in 22 goals in the Championship as Ipswich gained promotion over Leeds last season.
But this time around, Chaplin has started just four of 14 Premier League games – unused in two matches. If Leeds mean business, then raiding last season’s rivals for Chaplin could be the difference they need.
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