Leeds are ‘going into a gun fight with a water pistol’ – O’Rourke shares what he was told by insider
Daniel Farke still wants Leeds United to sign two new attackers in January after their transfer failings this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Leeds’ preparedness for the season ahead.
Leeds tried and failed with a deadline day move for Fulham’s Harry Wilson and also explored a move to bring last season’s loanee Manor Solomon back to Elland Road, but ended the window empty-handed.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday that European football was a deciding factor for Solomon as he joined Champions League-bound Villarreal instead of Leeds, leaving Farke short of options in attack.
Farke’s frustrations were compounded by Solomon and Wilson’s failed moves, and sources have told Football Insider that Leeds will look to add attacking reinforcements once the January window opens.
Leeds have been described as “going into a gunfight with a water pistol”, but Football Insider sources have said that a new-look defence, midfield, and goalkeeper in Lucas Perri leaves Farke well-stocked across the squad as a whole.
Leeds United to immediately target two key positions in January
Football Insider revealed on 24 August that Farke still wanted to bring in four new players before the window closed, but full-back James Justin was the only addition in a frustrating end to the summer.
Speaking on the new Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke stated that two of the four positions highlighted by Farke could be addressed as soon as January, to give Leeds the tools they need to survive a “gunfight”.
“Leeds would ideally have liked to add another forward and an attacking midfielder to bolster their goalscoring options”, he told Football Insider.
“Somebody’s described it to me as Daniel Farke ‘going into a gunfight with a water pistol’ – maybe that’s a bit over the top.
“The midfield looks strong; the defence is good as well, and the new goalkeeper in Lucas Perri, so it’s been some good business.
“Leeds feel that they’re a bit light in the final third, and will be hoping that if they’re still in contention to stay up by January, maybe they can add to the squad then.”
Daniel Farke given time after 49ers Enterprises failings
Farke allowed two of Leeds’ attackers to leave for nothing in the final days of the window in the hope that new additions would arrive to replace them, yet 49ers Enterprises didn’t hold up their side of the bargain.
Patrick Bamford is still exploring the free agency market after his release and Largie Ramazani made an instant impact at Valencia, as Leeds in turn missed out on Solomon, Wilson and Facundo Buonanotte.
With potential free agent signings like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain still on the market, the onus is on 49ers Enterprises to reinforce Farke’s side further with improvements in January, and simply must keep faith with the German until then.