Sources: Leeds to sign new forward before turning attention to Scottish Premiership star
Leeds have made signing a new wide forward a priority over a central midfielder this month as they aim to bolster Daniel Farke’s options in the final third.
Leeds‘ form has picked up in recent weeks after a tough start to life back in the top flight, with just one loss in their last eight league games to move eight points clear of the bottom three.
They are planning to make additions to Farke‘s squad this month as they continue to battle for Premier League survival, with Football Insider recently revealing that Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan is on Leeds’ radar.
He has been a standout in Scotland this season, but Sean Longstaff moved to Elland Road in the summer, while the likes of Anton Stach, Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu have all been key players for the Whites since their return to the top flight.
Such depth means they are not planning an approach to sign him this month, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, and are instead prioritising landing a winger to bolster Farke’s forward options.
Leeds want to sign a new wide forward in January over any other position
Leeds signed one wide attacker, Noah Okafor, in the summer, as he made the move from AC Milan to provide competition to the likes of Dan James, Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison.
James’ recent hamstring injury has seen Farke move to playing a 3-5-2 formation to utilise wing-backs rather than wingers, but that seems to be more of a temporary fix than a long-term solution.
The Whites have not yet delved into the market since the turn of the year, but are expected to sign another winger before any other position if an addition is made before the 2 February deadline.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I don’t think Leeds need to rush into anything in this January transfer window.
“If there’s the opportunity to improve the squad, they will definitely look at it. I don’t think Mulligan is a top priority.
“I think if Leeds were to enter the market in January, there are probably different areas of the team that they would look to strengthen.
“(They are) still looking at a wide forward, if they can potentially find one. I think that’s a priority over a central midfielder.”
Harry Wilson move looks unlikely for Leeds amid strong Fulham form
As they searched for more attacking depth in the summer, Leeds had seemingly agreed a deal for Fulham’s Wilson on transfer deadline day, but the move fell through at the last moment.
He has since gone on to register seven goals and four assists in 20 Premier League appearances so far this term, meaning the Cottagers have no plans to let him leave right now.
He has just six months left on his Fulham deal, but former scout Mick Brown has exclusively told Football Insider that Leeds’ chances of signing Wilson have slimmed as more clubs register their interest in his services.
Leeds have been linked to Sevilla’s Ruben Vargas, who is a left-winger by trade, and so a move to prise him from the La Liga outfit looks much more realistic if they are to delve into the January market soon.