Leeds United continue to be linked with new players on a daily basis with the January transfer window in full flow, but one of the players touted with a move to Leeds will not be going anywhere.
Daniel Farke continues to reiterate that the club are expecting a quiet January. But the Leeds squad does need a few additions and Farke’s decision not to reinforce last January is still frowned upon as a mistake.
Ipswich brought in a few players last January and it gave them the impetus to sustain their promotion push. Leeds only signed Connor Roberts and eventually, Leeds succumbed to play-off failure at Wembley.
Leeds fans are imploring their club to increase the depth in the side ahead of a promotion run-in during the second half of the season. But, one £8m-rated player Leeds want is now completely off the cards.
Leeds United wanted to sign Coventry captain Ben Sheaf
LeedsUnited.News understands that Leeds are interested in a deal for Coventry captain Sheaf, who has been one of the Championship’s best midfielders for a few seasons now and is rated at a fee of £8m.
The former Arsenal man has entered the final 18 months of his contract and a deal was there to be done. But last weekend, Sheaf limped off with a muscle injury as Coventry suffered a late 2-1 loss to Norwich.
Even if Leeds still wanted to do a deal before the February 3 deadline, there is no way that Sheaf would be able to pass a medical. Luckily for Leeds, Ilia Gruev made his return on Saturday way ahead of schedule.
What Frank Lampard has said about Sheaf’s injury and future
Speaking ahead of Coventry’s FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday on penalties, Lampard said that Shead would be out for the duration of the January transfer window and thus, ruling out a possible deal.
“It’s unfortunate. He has a muscle injury and is going to be out for between four to possibly six weeks,” Lampard told BBC Sport as he was forced to answer more questions about Sheaf, but not his future.
Last week, Lampard said the rumours linking Sheaf with Leeds were nothing and intended on keeping him: “I knew that they are rumours I’ve heard them as you have, so yeah, I want to keep the players here.”
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