Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans has faced the media to DEFEND the club’s transfer window, insisting they “spent everything we could”, while also appearing to rule out efforts to sign the likes of Christian Eriksen in the free transfer market.
The Whites brought in a total of 10 new players this summer, with their net spend set at £103.1m (€118.7m, $138.4m). And while Daniel Farke was allowed to bring in some much-needed reinforcements in midfield, defence and in goal, their failure to adequately bolster their attack has quickly been touted as a key weakness in Leeds United‘s survival chances.
Indeed, with just one goal to their name from three Premier League games so far – a penalty in the 1-0 win at home to Everton on the opening weekend – the Whites’ toothlessness in front of goal has been further exacerbated by the failure to land both Facundo Buonanotte and Harry Wilson in the final days of the summer window.
Those failures have, understandably, caused something of a mutiny among fans, who are now seriously concerned by the club’s prospects of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier.
And while it’s been suggested Leeds could look to the free-transfer market – former Manchester United midfielder Eriksen has been touted as a possible option, while on Wednesday, our transfer insider Fraser Fletcher had been informed the Whites were also in contention to sign former Burnley man, Josh Brownhill, who is also being tracked in Saudi Arabia.
Despite those links, Evans is adamant that Leeds are not looking to bring in more new players.
“I think whether it’s in the window or it’s free agent market only, or it’s January, it’s all about what does the team actually need?” Evans said in a Q&A with the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“What is the opportunity cost, as far as the buy you can’t make later on, or the sale you might have to make out of your current roster?
“I don’t think right now there’s any need so great that it’s worth going to the free agent market to fill it, in part because I doubt the right player is there.
“It’s a great market for injuries. So last year brought Josuha [Guilavogui] on. We had an emergency crisis with injuries. But beyond that, it’s probably wait and see…”
Whether Evans’ words prove to be a smokescreen or not – and we understand Leeds do have a genuine interest in Brownhill, who is currently weighing up his next move and is due to decide by the end of the week – it still leaves Farke with a huge task on his hands.
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