Leeds United are being linked with a number of different players ahead of the January transfer window and one of those was given his debut by Ruben Amorim back in 2021.
Daniel Farke has said Leeds will be quiet next month but that has not stopped the transfer mill circling, as Leeds continue to be linked with signings in different areas of the pitch – defence, midfield and attack.
It might be that Leeds have to replace a couple of players next month. Junior Firpo for example, is injured until the middle of January, is about to enter the last six months of his deal and Besiktas want Firpo.
Graham Smyth says he expects Leeds to sign a no.10, but there could be other signings in the winter window after only signing one player in the previous winter window, which saw Leeds lack some depth.
What Ruben Amorim said about Dario Essugo at Sporting
Leeds are interested in signing Dario Essugo. The midfielder is currently on loan away from Sporting for a second time, after breaking into the Sporting side and making his debut under Ruben Amorim in 2021.
A loan at Chaves was followed by a temporary spell in the top tier of Spanish football with minnows Las Palmas. Essugo has been first choice at Las Palmas, playing 90 minutes against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Quoted by MAGG in 2021, Amorim responded to Essugo’s debut as a 16-year-old with Sporting during a 1-0 win over Vitoria Guimaraes. He brought on Essugo as a replacement for Joao Mario on 84 minutes.
He said: “Very talented kid. [And this] is a message for the youngsters. Age doesn’t matter. Sporting is on this path. Those kids who have doubts between clubs know that the door is open to them here.
“That makes a difference. Congratulations to Dário, who deserved it. He was called to training, performed his duties and showed great quality in the two weeks he worked with us”, he said in a press conference.
Do Leeds need to sign Dario Essugo in the January window?
Probably not. But the reports do suggest that Leeds are trying to convince Sporting to cancel his loan at Las Palmas in order to convince the Portugal U21 international to join Leeds in the January window.
Leeds are trying to tempt Sporting by offering a loan-to-buy deal by including a £6m option, whether that is if Leeds are in the Premier League or in the Championship come the start of the 2025-26 season.
But right now, Leeds are well-stocked in midfield. They have Ao Tanaka, Joe Rothwell, veteran Josuha Guilavogui and then the returning Ethan Ampadu with Ilia Gruev expected back around March time.
He is a top, top player and a real talent. If available for a £6m fee, then it is a bargain and with Guilavogui out of contract next summer, perhaps it makes sense but the need for Essugo is not particularly high.
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