Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has outlined transfer window approach with the gloves off — Leeds Live 21/12/23

Leeds United are readying themselves for the first January transfer window under the new ownership

In a summer often seemingly dominated by the will he or won't he saga surrounding potential exits for the likes of Willie Gnonto, Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison, Tyler Adamas and Illan Meslier among many others, keeping hold of some semblance of a squad remained the first priority. To emerge from a summer unlike no other in recent memory with the signings they put together is a credit to the new Leeds United board and manager Daniel Farke.

Now, as we approach Christmas all eyes will soon turn to the January transfer window and what business Leeds will do to strengthen their squad for a promotion challenge which is starting to look like a battle for ages. Currently 10 points behind second-placed Ipswich Town with Leicester City on course as it stands to break all records, Leeds are going to need a special second half of the campaign if they are to avoid the dreaded play-offs as a route back to the Premier League.

Farke already has a host of options in many areas of his team, less so in some others and like every manager, he'll be eager to strengthen the depth and potentially even his starting XI come January as the second half slog commences. And let's not forget, the Championship is an unrelenting slog that tests the deepest of squads.

Under the previous ownership January was seen as not the ideal time to be splashing the cash, In truth it's not, with often inflated prices and the best players not usually available. But that's where Leeds' new ownership can come to the fore. Whites chairman Paraag Marathe has already outlined his confidence in dealing with the transfer window, in particular agents and rival clubs when it comes to getting deals done.

“I’ve seen it all and I’ve been through it all so I have a particular empathy for everybody’s job that is going to serve me well in this role,” he told the club’s podcast back in the summer upon his arrival as chairman. “Just take the football negotiations piece for example.

“It took a long time to get approval, but, to our supporters at Leeds, just know this is my lifeblood, this is my wheelhouse, this is what I do, I’ve negotiated contracts in my sleep. The ball may be shaped differently and the game is different, but the agent game and the player game is very much the same and that’s where I made a name for myself in American sports."

Leeds will need all that experience and confidence if they are to manoeuver their way around the transfer window in a fashion that allows Farke to get the additions he needs, while ensuring the club are not having to make risky spends on the roll of a dice of getting back into the Premier League.

It's a difficult tightrope to walk in a January window with risk and potential reward, but Leeds' chairman appears convinced he's got the knowhow to get the job done and that should offer some comfort to supporters eager to see a productive transfer window.