Leeds face pressure over form and key squad calls
Leeds loanee Lucas Perri again came under fire after Torino’s 2-0 defeat to Frosinone, rated 5/10 and labelled ‘careless’, casting doubt on their £12m option to buy.
Leeds still plan to extend Daniel Farke’s deal despite a fifth league game without a win and his poor Premier League away record - five wins in 49, a 10.2% rate.
Leeds, Aston Villa and Everton are tracking Tottenham midfielder Conor Gallagher for January, but Spurs, who paid about £33m and tied him to 2031, are unlikely to sell.
Leeds are pushing to sign Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi in January at a cut price, fearing free-agent competition in the summer. His versatility may signal Melvin Bard will not stay.
Leeds are assessing Noah Okafor, Gabriel Gudmundsson and James Justin before Tottenham, while Joe Rodon nears a return as Farke’s side seek to end a five-game winless run.
Jermaine Beckford said big European and Premier League clubs missed out on Dominic Calvert-Lewin by asking the ‘wrong questions’, while Leeds won him over with their physio plan and project.
Wilfried Gnonto’s Fiorentina future looks doubtful after one start in five games and 154 minutes since his Coppa Italia goal, putting Leeds’ £18m permanent deal in jeopardy.
Jamie O’Hara predicted Tottenham will draw at Leeds, prompting Jason Cundy to hit back on talkSPORT before Saturday’s Elland Road meeting.
Lukas Nmecha is being linked with Southampton and Wrexham, while Birmingham City, Burnley and Wolves are cited as other possible suitors before his contract expires next summer.
Keith Wyness warned Leeds to be ‘realistic’ over Tarik Muhamerovic interest from Barcelona, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, urging them to keep the defender and avoid cashing in.
Leeds are among clubs alerted to Monaco striker Folarin Balogun’s January availability, with Everton, Newcastle and Manchester United also contacted by his agent Jorge Mendes.
Ilia Gruev has not played since returning from injury and is nearing the end of his deal, leaving Leeds facing a likely January sale or losing him for nothing in the summer.
Leeds’ 2-0 loss at Bournemouth intensified scrutiny on Dan James and Harry Wilson, with Farke defending both despite meagre attacking output and a combined £42.5m cost.
Tottenham are being urged to start former Leeds player Archie Gray over Pedro Porro, citing his goal, passing and tactical fit for Leeds’ counter-attacking threat.
Anton Stach admitted Leeds are in a difficult spell after the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, vowing: ‘I’ll keep pushing’ as his form and the side’s attack come under scrutiny.
