Leeds United failed to make any new signings in the January transfer window largely because of the club’s position in the Championship – and promotion to the Premier League looking likely.
To improve the squad, Daniel Farke needed Premier League players in the winter window. But those of a Premier League standard were always going to be against dropping a division into the Championship.
If Leeds had tied themselves to a loan deal with permanent options or obligations based on promotion, then they may have signed a player that aids promotion but is unable to make a difference in the top tier.
Cameron Archer falls into that category. Leeds made a loan bid for Southampton striker Archer, a player that would have bolstered Leeds’ promotion push but to get him, a clause would have had to be inserted.
Carlton Palmer urges Leeds to avoid permanent Joe Rothwell deal
Archer though, has six goals in 60 Premier League games and Leeds may have had to pay an eight-figure fee on a player that has not cut it in the top tier. Another that fits that category is on-loan Joe Rothwell.
The 30-year-old has been “instrumental” for Leeds in the push to go up this season. But Rothwell has not done it in the Premier League and amid reports Rothwell will cost £7.5m, Carlton Palmer gave his verdict.
Telling Football League World, former Leeds man Palmer has ordered Leeds not to sign Rothwell beyond his loan: “If Leeds are promoted, is he worth signing for that amount of money? No, not in my opinion.
“They need a bit better quality. He is a very good Championship player but just a bit short of quality in the Premier League. £7.5m for a player who has struggled in the Premier League doesn’t work,” he said.
What Joe Rothwell has said about his future beyond Leeds loan
With the midfielder set to return to Bournemouth as things stand, Rothwell will enter the final year of his contract this summer. A fee of £7.5m for a player in his thirties and unproven in the top tier is expensive.
Rothwell admits he does not know where he will be next season. But the midfielder admits his Leeds loan has been a tough one, having moved north without his family to go and play for the Yorkshire outfit.
Rothwell himself may prefer to return south in the coming months, in order to be closer to his family rather than uprooting his loved ones north. Leeds are yet to make any decision on Rothwell’s future.
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