Despite signing Joe Rothwell, Leeds United somehow find themselves weaker in midfield now than how they started the window.
Though the lack of goals from midfield was a major problem last season, it would be hard to argue against it being one of their strongest positions in terms of depth.
However, the same can certainly not be said now having lost both Archie Gray and Glen Kamara in the space of three weeks, who had been Leeds‘ two box-to-box options.
Unfortunately, Gray’s sale ended up being a necessity for Leeds to remain compliant with PSR, but Kamara was one the club repeatedly claimed they didn’t want to sell.
Leeds then ended up receiving an offer they felt was too good to turn down, which has only added to the number of positions they need to strengthen.
Smyth shares latest on replacing Kamara at Leeds
Tottenham Hotspur’s Oliver Skipp is the only real concrete link so far, but that pursuit would appear over before it’s even got started.
Skipp has no intention of dropping into the Championship, and in all honesty, Leeds are well stocked for his profile of player anyway, with Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev both stronger at sitting in front of the back four.
Rothwell’s addition from Bournemouth certainly gives Leeds more of a goal threat from midfield than they had last season, but him as the only number eight option is not enough.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road Podcast, journalist Graham Smyth has shared an update on Leeds’ midfield plans, reporting that it is more of an attack-minded profile they are looking for, as opposed to the Skipp-type.
He said: “Between us we’ve had a sneaky suspicion based on the type of whispers we have heard they are looking for a more attacking profile. They are looking for a more eight/10, than an six/eight.
“Kamara was box-to-box in terms of being mobile, getting up and down and winning the ball in both his and the opposition’s half. He retained the ball well, recycled it and helped link moves, but when he got to the final third that’s where his influence flattened out.”
Who could Leeds look at to replace Kamara?
As mentioned, there hasn’t been too much in the way of concrete links, but it is certainly going to have to be a marquee addition to satisfy supporters after selling Kamara and Gray.
One potential player they could look at is Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien, who has been linked with Leeds before. In all honesty, he would not be an upgrade, though.
Norwich City’s Gabriel Sara could be an extremely ambition option, but is likely to cost way beyond what Leeds can spend as a Championship club.
Like with Gruev, Leeds may well be best searching abroad, where prices for players are significantly lower than in England.
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