A few weeks ago, most Leeds United fans would have answered ‘a new striker’ when asked what the club required in the January window. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have changed that.
On Saturday, Calvert-Lewin scored twice as Leeds won a fifth Premier League match of the season with a 4-1 triumph over FA Cup winners and Europa Conference League competitors Crystal Palace at home.
Do Leeds even NEED signings after enjoying success with a 3-5-2 formation?
That has taken Calvert-Lewin’s tally to seven for the season, but six goals in the last five games. Only Mark Viduka has scored in five consecutive Premier League games for Leeds, doing so more than 20 years ago.
Nmecha meanwhile, has four goals this season – a solid return for someone who was signed as back-up by the Leeds board. If Leeds were to sign a new striker, it would have to be one who can create goals, too.
Joshua Zirkzee interest likely to come to an end very soon
Indeed, that is what Leeds are possibly missing in the final third. A player that can drop deep, lose his marker and get on the ball, creating for a potential partner up top. Joshua Zirkzee is capable of that.
Leeds have reportedly approached the Man United attacker ahead of a January loan. But having lost players to AFCON, Ruben Amorim’s men are yet to make a decision on Zirkzee’s future, even if a loan.
Leeds are not the only ones interested in £36.5m signing Zirkzee. West Ham are also keen while Roma are said to be leading the way. Now, Fabrizio Romano has posted an update on Zirkzee’s future in January.
He said: “AS Roma are advancing in talks with Joshua Zirkzee on personal terms as top target for January. Deal still depends on Man United’s decision. Man United have several players out for injury/AFCON.”
Would you take Joshua Zirkzee at Leeds? ⭐
Even if he's currently at Man United?
What do Leeds need to sign in the January window?
When the summer window eventually came to an end, Leeds had failed in the last 48 hours. They had tried to initially sign Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton after his Leicester stint last season.
Then, Harry Wilson from Fulham. But both deals fell through, and Leeds were left, in his own words, light up front, according to Farke. Leeds no longer need a striker and a 3-5-2 formation could change plans.
But realistically, the major issue is a lack of creativity, and Farke needs someone who can do that. Much like Wilson or Buonanotte, who are the kind of players able to create magic with very few ingredients.
But it won’t be cheap to add that quality, and Leeds will need to work out exactly how much they have to spend, and whether the Whites need to sell a player to bankroll a possible January addition.
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