Leeds United fans have been left underwhelmed by the club’s inability to make a single signing in the January transfer window, while the club’s promotion rivals all strengthened.
On deadline day, Leeds were strongly linked with Southampton’s Cameron Archer. His Saints teammate Adam Armstrong was even a consideration briefly at Leeds before The Whites decided not to sign him.
Daniel Farke identified three new signings needed at Leeds. A new striker, cover for Brenden Aaronson and a centre-back, but Leeds have failed to make a single new addition as The Whites fight to go up.
Plenty of strikers have been linked throughout January. Louie Barry has joined Hull City, while Mergim Berisha is already injured at new club Augsburg. Another has just completed a record-breaking move.
Emmanuel Latte Lath expected to smash MLS transfer record
LeedsUnited.News revealed early in the January window that Leeds wanted to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough. But it emerged soon after that Mateusz Klich’s Atlanta United were also keen.
Fast forward to deadline day, and MLS expert Tom Bogert says Atlanta have agreed a record-breaking MLS transfer worth £17.75m to sign Latte Lath. A deal is yet to be announced by Atlanta or Boro.
He said: “Atlanta United have completed a new MLS league-record transfer to sign Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough, per sources. Atlanta will pay $22m plus add-ons, the biggest deal in MLS history.”
Leeds United have dodged a bullet in not paying for Latte Lath
The fee is an enormous one for Latte Lath, who has proved himself to be a good Championship striker without ever really excelling or perhaps showing that he would be good enough in the Premier League.
If Atlanta have got him for just under £18m, selling Latte Lath to a Championship rival would have been more expensive. Leeds may have only convinced Middlesbrough to sell if it was £20m or even higher.
| Name | Clubs | Games (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| Joel Piroe | Leeds Swansea | 163 (134) | 11834 | 66 | 16 | 144.3 |
| Mateo Joseph | Leeds | 49 (11) | 1369 | 4 | 3 | 195.6 |
| Patrick Bamford | Leeds Boro Derby Forest | 229 (161) | 12600 | 69 | 15 | 150 |
| Emmanuel Latte Lath | Boro | 59 (43) | 3862 | 27 | 4 | 124.6 |
While the interest in Latte Lath was understandable, the figure paid by Atlanta is excessive. Leeds were much better off rejecting Real Betis’ £10m bid for Mateo Joseph and sticking with what they have.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
