The transfer window began, at Leeds United, with speculation surrounding centre-halves and potential additions in the number ten role.
But, with the deadline now just one day away, the focus appears to have shifted. To centre-forwards, no less.
Leeds United welcomed back Ethan Ampadu after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and, as Daniel Farke plays down concerns over Pascal Struijk’s fitness – he will return to training next week – the Championship leaders suddenly do not feel quite so vulnerable at the back.
Farke made no secret of his desire for an attacking midfielder, meanwhile. But as Emi Buendia opts to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan from Aston Villa instead, at least Brenden Aaronson looks set to continue his impressive goals-per-game record into 2025.
Suddenly, it is the striker position where Leeds seem a little short.
Sevilla coach confirms Kelechi Iheanacho can go amid Leeds United links
Farke was full of praise for Joel Piroe as the Dutchman ended a three-game goal drought with a brace in the 7-0 hammering of Cardiff City. Mateo Joseph stepped off the bench to score for a third time this term.
Yet, with Patrick Bamford still injured, Farke has just two first-team centre-forwards at present. A situation the Yorkshire giants seem determined to change before the clock strikes 11 on Monday night.
Leeds still want Southampton’s Cameron Archer despite seeing a loan bid rejected by the Premier League strugglers. Leeds were also linked with Chelsea youngster Marc Guiu on Sunday morning.
Kelechi Iheanacho is another with Elland Road admirers. The former Manchester City and Leicester frontman appears destined to leave Sevilla after a miserable half-season with the La Liga outfit.
Their head coach, Garcia Pimienta, confirmed as much in the build up to Sunday’s late kick-off against Barcelona.
“Kelechi Iheanacho has many offers and absolute freedom to decide where he wants to go,” Pimienta explained, albeit while indicating that the Nigeria international will be part of his squad to face Barca unless anything changes.
“In the world of football, a lot of things happen and we have the tendency for everything to happen at the last minute. I am in constant dialogue with the sporting director. We are prepared for everything that can happen.
“When the window closes, I will have the best possible squad and I will not make any excuses.”
Victor Orta critical as Middlesbrough battle Leeds and Celtic
That aforementioned sporting director, meanwhile, is a very familiar name to the Leeds faithful.
Victor Orta admits Iheanacho has disappointed in Spain; Goalless in his nine La Liga appearances. And the former Leeds director appeared to confirm that the now-28-year-old will be allowed to leave on loan, albeit Middlesbrough are now reportedly at the front of a queue which also contains Scottish champions Celtic.
According to reports, Iheanacho is set for a medical at the Riverside. As such, Leeds will miss out unless a late hi-jack is both attempted and successful.
“The club has received some offers that we have forwarded to him and he is evaluating, like the rest of the players, what would be his best option,” Orta said a few days ago. “It is a question of the player being able to choose his best option for these [next] six months.
“I said it in the previous press conference, it is clear that we all expect a better performance from Iheanacho. [But] I think that the performances have nothing to do with the quality of the footballer.
“In fact, he has interest from other teams. Right now, the market is open. He knows his situation. I think he wants to play more because he has that feeling that he believes he can still contribute more. We will see what happens until Monday.”
Daniel Farke likes his strikers to drop deep and link the play. A role Piroe performed impeccably during that Cardiff drubbing.
Interestingly, in Iheanacho’s best days at Leicester City, he almost operated more as a number ten with Jamie Vardy running in behind.
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