Leeds United’s struggles in the Premier League have been evident, with the team picking up only four points from their opening four games. A significant factor contributing to this poor performance is the club’s questionable transfer dealings during the summer.
Transfer Spending: A Cause for Concern
- Defensive Spending: Leeds spent a whopping £53.3 million on defensive players, with £28 million going towards fringe players who have barely contributed to the team. Some notable examples include:
- Jaka Bijol: £16.4 million, 0 Premier League minutes
- Lucas Perri: £13.8 million, 270 Premier League minutes
- Seb Bornauw: £5.1 million, 0 Premier League minutes
- Attacking Options: In contrast, Leeds spent only £16 million on bolstering their forward line, which remains a major concern for the team. Despite manager Daniel Farke’s repeated requests for attacking reinforcements, the club failed to deliver ¹ ² ³.
Failed Transfers and Missed Opportunities
- Harry Wilson Deal: Leeds United’s pursuit of Fulham winger Harry Wilson collapsed in the final minutes of the transfer window after the Cottagers changed their mind about selling the player.
- Facundo Buonanotte: Chelsea swooped in to hijack a potential deal for the Argentine attacking midfielder, leaving Leeds empty-handed.
Looking Ahead to January
- Rectifying Mistakes: Given the bids made for players like Igor Paixao and Rodrigo Muniz, Leeds should have some room to maneuver in the January transfer window. However, Managing Director Robbie Evans hinted that the club aims to avoid making transfers in January, which could limit their options.
- PSR Constraints: Evans also mentioned that Leeds had maxed out their PSR for the season, which might restrict their spending in the January window ⁴ ⁵.
