Leeds are interested in signing Premier League player before deadline but club don’t want him to leave on loan

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Leeds United’s hopes of signing one of their targets in the final 48 hours of the window appear to be fading.

The Whites know the clock is now ticking to complete their remaining transfer business with as many as three new signings still wanted.

Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ao Tanaka looks like he could be the next signing through the door with the Japanese international keen on a move to Elland Road and talks underway.

But after that, Leeds still want to sign both a full-back and potentially even a marquee number 10, which would round off a good end to the window.

However, failure to do so would leave question marks as to whether Leeds have replaced the outgoings adequately enough to sustain an automatic promotion push.

• READ MORE: Leeds confident of midfield signing, talking to ‘half a dozen’ players ahead of Friday deadline

Leeds chances of Max Aarons loan deal rated

In terms of full-backs, links haven’t been too vast with Leeds seemingly focusing the bulk of their attention to strengthening in midfield.

Ajax’s Owen Wijndal emerged as a potential option on Wednesday but the most heavily linked with a switch has been Bournemouth’s Max Aarons.

Aarons is expected to leave the Cherries before tomorrow’s 11pm deadline after falling out of favour under Andoni Iraola, but the chances of it being Leeds are reducing.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Aarons does feature on a list of targets at Leeds but there are now question marks over whether they would sanction a loan.

Bournemouth have set a big asking price for Aarons and with anyone who comes in likely to be backup initially, Leeds are very unlikely to spend a huge amount on that position.

Two Serie A clubs are also interested in Aarons and so if they were to come forward with a permanent proposal, it feels like he will go there instead.

• READ MORE: European side could be about to make late bid for £12.5m Leeds United player

Leeds may have to hold their nerve on Aarons

Leeds have been very patient in this window by waiting to see what comes available towards the end, and this may have to be the case with Aarons.

If they decide to hold their nerve right until the final few hours, Bournemouth may end up changing their stance and sanctioning a loan.

Signing someone of his calibre at Championship level on loan that late on would be excellent business from Leeds, but of course, that is relying on Bournemouth.

Leeds may feel they cannot wait that long and instead move onto other targets, which is probably the safer strategy.