Leeds United continue to be linked with new names as the January transfer window gets going, and the latest player to be added to the Elland Road list is a Newcastle United player.
Robbie Evans suggested Leeds would struggle to spend in January without crossing the PSR line, but reports emerged this week claiming Leeds have between £20m and £25m before they cross the border.
Priority looks likely to be a centre-back and a striker. Joe Rodon’s injury and a switch to 3-5-2 has left Leeds light in the middle of the defence, even if Sebastiaan Bornauw is yet to start a single league game.
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Leeds are light up front, too. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in superb form, but he and Lukas Nmecha are no strangers to injury. With Joel Piroe’s future in the balance, a new striker could also be targeted by Leeds.
But Farke may decide that Leeds have enough at centre-back and up top, and if Leeds are to invest, it will be in a position they failed to sort in the summer, by bringing in a creative midfielder who can score.
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Having missed out on Harry Wilson and Facundo Buonanotte in the previous window, the need for a new attacking midfielder remains at Elland Road. In the summer, Leeds were also linked with Joe Willock.
Now, the iPaper claim Leeds are one of three sides eyeing the £25m Newcastle signing this month. Also in the frame are Sean Dyche and Nottingham Forest, as well as Conference League side Crystal Palace.
It is claimed that while Eddie Howe would prefer not to lose the former Arsenal midfielder, he is aware that every player has his price. If the right fee is offered this month, Willock could leave St. James’ Park.
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“This summer, we spent everything we could. Unequivocally, we are maxing PSR out this season. If we had gone on to other targets [on deadline day], the consequences would have been seen in the current roster. More key players from last season would have had to go.”
Robbie Evans on Leeds United’s PSR position
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could match Joe Willock record tonight
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is eyeing a ninth goal of the season on Thursday night when Leeds go to Anfield to take on Liverpool. It would see Calvert-Lewin score for a seventh consecutive Premier League game.
Well, remarkably, the last English player to achieve such a feat was Willock at Newcastle, without even playing up front. In May 2023, Willock netted for a seventh match in a row in a 2-0 win over Fulham.
Willock has struggled to recreate that form in the last couple of seasons, with injury and competition in the Newcastle midfield hindering his progress. It could be that he needs a move in the next few weeks.
Interestingly, Willock could be bought for slightly cheaper than normal price, with the midfielder now in the final 18 months of his Toon deal. Realistically, he is going to cost similar to Newcastle’s initial outlay.
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