Leeds United told to keep ‘outstanding’ player in January despite potential for 49ers ‘profit’ from Tottenham

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Daniel Farke and 49ers Enterprises will undoubtedly be aligned at just how important it is for Leeds United to keep their key players in January.

Leeds are once again set to be involved in a promotion push that goes right down to the wire and the pressure is on for them to go one better than last season.

The 49ers will only be truly able to flex their financial muscle once Leeds do return to the Premier League and any short-term gain they could make from a big sale in January would be outweighed by the reward of promotion.

Farke wants a quiet January at Leeds and there is no doubt he would see it as a successful window if all of his key players remain at Elland Road, though that should be a given.

Leeds need to be ambitious and at least try and bring a couple of bodies in, with goalkeeper, number 10 and striker among the positions which could be upgraded.

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Carlton Palmer tells Leeds what to do with Pascal Struijk in January

Leeds have already had quite a few players linked with moves in January, with Patrick Bamford the latest. Reports suggest the Whites could ‘green light’ an exit for him next month.

Bamford has very much been on the periphery at Leeds this season and so his departure wouldn’t weaken the squad, but it’s very much a different story for Pascal Struijk.

Struijk is wanted by Tottenham and other Premier League clubs ahead of January, and Carlton Palmer has delivered his verdict on the speculation to Football League World.

Palmer believes Leeds need to do everything to ensure Struijk stays at Elland Road next month, even though he could generate a big ‘profit’ due to being signed as an academy player.

He said: “What’s surfaced at the moment is that clubs in the Premier League, Tottenham, Wolves, to mention two, are interested in signing their experienced centre-back Struijk. The 25-year-old has been absolutely outstanding for Leeds United this season.

“The likes of Tottenham are looking to strengthen that area in the transfer window, with the likes of Micky van de Ven, who has been injured a lot with hamstrings and Romero, who has either been suspended or injured. They’ve had a problem in that area.

“But I think it’s unlikely that Leeds are going to sell the 25-year-old in the January transfer window given their remit is to get back to the Premier League. However, Struijk is one of those players who signed for the club as a kid, so any transfer fee they would retain for Struijk would be profit.

“But with Leeds looking to get back to the Premier League this season, that is their priority, I cannot see them entertaining any kind of sale. They did what they had to do in the summer with the sale of Gray, with the sale of Summerville.

“I think it’s highly unlikely any more players will be allowed to leave Leeds United in the January transfer market, with their remit to get back to the Premier League.”

• READ MORE: Leeds United 20-year-old has four goals and assists in five games for U21s after return from long-term injury

Every player linked with a Leeds exit in January

The January window is now just two weeks away from opening and so speculation is bound to ramp up ahead of the end of the month.

As such, here is a look at all of the Leeds players who have been linked with an exit so far.