According to Pete O’Rourke on Twitter, the pot has run dry at Leeds United and that no more transfer deals are incoming to Elland Road.
The former Sky Sports journalist, writing for Football Insider, expands on this somewhat in what is dark news indeed for Leeds United fans desperate for that play-off chasing shot-in-the-arm booster as January ends.
High on the list of players wanted by the Whites was a more consistent goalscorer, one who could be relied upon in the mould of Chris Wood, who left for Premier League Burnley at the start of this season. The Whites have Kemar Roofe (eight goals) and loanee Pierre-Michel Lasogga (seven goals) but neither have hit the straps and convinced fans they are the long-term options.
Dashing United fans’ hopes, O’Rourke says, citing Football Insider sources: “Leeds’ hopes of signing a new striker before the close of the transfer window are over with the club not having enough money in their budget to bring in a forward.”
Signings have been made by the Whites this January window. Current players for the first team squad such as Laurens De Bock and Adam Forshaw have been brought in, Japan midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi has come and gone on loan to Cultural Leonesa, and youngsters Aapo Halme and Sam Dalby have been signed for the development squad.
But, if O’Rourke is right, and he does elaborate saying “it is understood the club have used up most of their budget on those [above] signings,” then Leeds United fans will have to make do and mend with what they currently have at Elland Road.
Leeds United are said to have looked at Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu today, but that is with a longer term intention. In the short-term it appears that Leeds United might be letting the Mbakogu interest slide until the summer.
