Leeds’ transfer window: Kai Wagner a target, clubs keen on Cody Drameh - The Athletic 26/12/22

By Phil Hay

The January transfer window often finds Leeds United conflicted. The club prefer not to spend at this time of year, seeing mostly poor value in the mid-season market, but they are routinely faced with the question of whether they can afford not to buy.

This juncture is no different. In perfect circumstances, Leeds would most likely avoid significant expenditure next month but their 2022-23 Premier League season has been a long way from perfect. They will restart it in the bottom third of the division, with four wins from the 14 games so far and a small gap separating them from the relegation places.

Nobody at Elland Road is free to count chickens.

A year ago, Leeds spent nothing of note, at a time when their form was causing concern. What followed was the narrowest escape from relegation and a warning of what might happen if they decline to strengthen now. Here, The Athletic looks at how the start of 2023 is likely to play out.

Last three January window spends

2020: £0

2021: £0

2022: £1million ($1.22m).

How much money is likely to be available this month?

Leeds aren’t setting a specific budget. It will be more a case of moving if an opportunity they like comes along. Most transfer fees are paid in instalments so the initial outlay on any signing would not be extortionate.

What they will look to do, though, is keep their wage structure intact and avoid deals which disrupt it significantly. So expect them to operate at much the same level as they have since reaching the Premier League in 2020.

Rodrigo, in that post-promotion summer of 2020, remains their record signing at £27million.

Who makes the key decisions on signings?

Director of football Victor Orta is at the centre of everything, leading the scouting and overseeing recruitment. Head coach Jesse Marsch is heavily involved, too, and features in all final decisions. Chief executive Angus Kinnear has the responsibility for managing the books and monitoring finances and ultimately, investment has to be sanctioned by chairman Andrea Radrizzani, the majority shareholder.

These days, with its own share in the club at just under 50 per cent, minority stakeholder 49ers Enterprises is never far from discussions either.

The interaction between the different parties tends to be good — but Leeds are not an especially cash-rich club and money is something they are always conscious of.

Which position is the priority?

There are two — left-back and forward, whether that’s a true No 9 or an attacking player who can switch positions.

Marsch’s system, with a centre-forward in front of a fairly narrow line of three, is made for versatile options and the forwards Leeds have looked at most recently — Charles De Ketelaere and Cody Gakpo — were capable of operating in more than one defined role.

Patrick Bamford’s long-term struggle for prolonged fitness leaves the club short up front.

Leeds have been using centre-back Pascal Struijk on the left side of their defence. Though Junior Firpo remains on the books, neither his form nor his fitness has helped to make him look like the answer so far.

Who are plausible targets?

In terms of a left-back, Leeds want someone at the lower end of the age scale but with first-team experience behind him too.

Despite being 25, Philadelphia Union’s Kai Wagner is one option they are looking at — a defender who is yet to appear in a major European league and has plenty of miles left in the tank. A fee to get him from the 2022 MLS runners-up would be likely to fall in the low millions.

Up front, they had long been keen on Atletico Madrid’s Matheus Cunha but Wolverhampton Wanderers made a decisive play to sign him on loan and that deal was formally put in place last week.

Never totally discount Southampton forward Che Adams, either — he’s been discussed at Elland Road before.

Who could be heading out?

Mateusz Klich has a very good offer from MLS side DC United on the table and the signs are that he might well go. He hasn’t played much in the first half of the season and is 32 now. It makes sense for him to take up an opportunity elsewhere, much as Leeds might not want to lose him.

Young right-back Cody Drameh is one to watch, too. Championship promotion candidates Burnley and Watford have both asked about him and if Leeds decide to let him go, those are possible destinations. Marsch has depth in that area, with Rasmus Kristensen and Luke Ayling also available.

Which World Cup star would be perfect for Leeds?

Breel Embolo. Monaco’s 25-year-old Switzerland international was by no means the outstanding star of the tournament but he is a dynamic centre-forward, he can finish and he probably falls within a reasonable price range too.

Leeds could do worse, put it that way.