As their Championship promotion rivals strengthen with a few high-profile additions, there is a sense of frustration growing amongst the always-expectant Leeds United fanbase.
While Leeds are still yet to make a move this month, Sunderland snapped up Enzo Le Fee on loan from Roma.
While some may be getting carried away labelling Le Fee the most high-profile Championship signing of the modern era – not that long ago, Wolves snapped up Porto’s captain Ruben Neves, after all – the Black Cats newbie arrives after establishing himself as one of the stars of French football and after a £20 million move to the Italian giants.
Sheffield United leapfrogged Leeds United into top spot with a 2-1 win at Swansea City on Tuesday night. The Blades have already landed Ben Brereton Diaz on loan from Southampton, and are closing in on another proven Championship goalscorer in Tom Cannon.
So, are Leeds at risk of being left behind. Will the Elland Road faithful look back, in May, at the mid-season window and see it as an opportunity squandered?
Atlanta United close in on Leeds United-linked Emmanuel Latte Lath
Of course, with over a week remaining, the Yorkshire giants still have time on their side. The potential addition of Emi Buendia could still blow Sunderland and Sheffield United out the water in terms of ambition and sheer quality.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News that Buendia may still reunite with Daniel Farke at Leeds. Aston Villa would prefer to send him to Elland Road rather than Valencia, albeit with an obligation-to-buy clause in any loan arrangement.
Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi has moved one step closer to leaving the Bundesliga outfit, meanwhile. Leeds are still well placed to secure Andrew Omobamidele from Nottingham Forest, too.
Though, as far as Emmanuel Latte Lath is concerned, the feeling behind the scenes at Leeds United is that this ship has already left the harbour.
“Latte Lath is the top choice for Atlanta,” reporter Ben Jacobs says, Middlesbrough’s number nine ahead of Crystal Palace misfit Odsonne Edouard in the ambitious MLS outfit’s list of priorities.
“The Latte Lath situation is that, in the last week or so, Atlanta United have had very positive talks with Middlesbrough. There’s not that many concerns that they can’t get to a full verbal agreement. They are just about there.
“It’s more the realisation, from Atalanta’s perspective, that this is an in-demand player and it becomes relatively likely that another suitor will enter the race in the final days of the window.
“My read of the situation is that Atlanta have taken the negotiations about as far as they can. They’ve got all their ducks in a row. It’s just that, if you are Middlesbrough, you are waiting for a bidding war or a twist.”
Leeds sources pessimistic as Premier League interest emerges
A bidding war could yet arise, of course. But it will not involve Leeds.
Jacobs adds that, having spoken to sources in West Yorkshire, Leeds feel that Latte Lath has moved out of their reach with deep-pocketed Atlanta likely to go head-to-head with Premier League opposition for the well-travelled centre-forward.
“I don’t think it’s a case of Atlanta United up against Leeds, because Leeds sources that I speak to deny that they have placed a bid,” Jacobs adds. “The interest is genuine but they’ve not put a formal offer on the table.
“And interestingly, the Leeds perspective, from sources that I speak to, is that he is either going to go to Atlanta or a Premier League club.
“Leicester City are looking for goals, Everton are in the market for a striker. West Ham and Bournemouth are going to be alert to opportunities [but those two] are more looking at Brighton’s Evan Ferguson.”
According to reports, Atlanta United are expected to part with around £20 million for Emmanuel Latte Lath. A fee that would likely have been beyond Leeds without the riches of Premier League football.
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