Daniel Farke ‘disappointed’ after Leeds miss out on late signing
Daniel Farke has been left disappointed that Leeds United were unable to bring in a new striker during the January transfer window.
Leeds targeted Jorgen Strand Larsen throughout the mid-season window and saw an offer rejected before he joined Crystal Palace for £48million on deadline day.
Farke had been hoping to add some depth to his squad behind the current strike duo of Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but was left wanting.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the 49-year-old has been frustrated with his side’s lack of mid-season transfer activity.
Leeds are currently 16th in the Premier League, six points clear of West Ham in 18th, but feel new additions would have strengthened their bid for survival.
Daniel Farke frustrated with Leeds’ transfer business
Facundo Buonanotte’s loan from Brighton was the only incoming deal at Elland Road last month, leaving Farke without some much-desired striker options.
This echoes the frustrations of the summer window, when sources told Football Insider that Leeds were ‘going into a gun fight with a water pistol’ this season.
“I have to get Farke credit for changing the way the’re playing at Leeds,” Brown told Football Insider.
“They way they were playing would’ve taken them down, and now they look like a much more solid and stable outfit and have given themselves a chance.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin has chipped in with a few goals, so good luck to him.
“But I think the manager, having made those changes, wanted to bring in a few more players in key positions and doesn’t seem to have been given the backing.
“He wanted a new striker to help with the current two, but they weren’t able to get a deal done, and I think he’ll be disappointed about the lack of activity.
“I think it’s important for Leeds that, if they’re going to buy players, they want to make sure they’re the type of players who can strengthen the team.
“That makes things a bit more difficult, but the manager will have been hoping to strengthen his team to help fight against relegation and it hasn’t happened.”
Leeds’ stance on signing Raheem Sterling revealed
Despite their lack of incoming signings during the mid-season window, Leeds still have a chance to bring in a new forward, with Raheem Sterling available for free.
Sterling has been a target for Leeds in the past and has been assessing his options since terminating his contract at Stamford Bridge in January.
However, Football Insider revealed on 30 January that Leeds are unlikely to pursue Sterling and he is not currently viewed as a realistic option.
He was a regular starter in his first two campaigns at Stamford Bridge, with 19 goals and 12 assists in 81 games, before being bombed out of Enzo Maresca’s squad.
The winger failed to make an appearance for the Blues this term prior to his release, but will not be joining Leeds anytime soon.
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