Harry Wilson signs: Leeds United's best and worst case transfer scenarios in January | OneFootball

FLW outline the worst and best case scenarios for Leeds United in January's transfer window.

Leeds United, under Daniel Farke, entered the 2024/25 Championship season with plenty of ambition but they will know how crucial the upcoming January window can be in defining their season.

It is less than twon months away for the club who are aiming to restore the club’s Premier League status after a disappointing end to last season and a play-off final defeat. Promotion to the Premier League is the priority for Leeds every season as a second tier club, but especially after finishing third in the Championship with an impressive 90 points last season.

After that saw them narrowly miss out on automatic promotion, squad overhaul was then inevitable, with high-profile departures like Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, and Archie Gray chasing Premier League opportunities. Optimism remains high despite that, with the Whites looking to go one better in 2024/25.

In part, that is because, on paper at least, it appears as though they have a group of players that will be one of the favourites to go up automatically. That was aided by a strong window of incomings, and a number of new additions hitting the ground running already.

Leeds boast a talented squad which was aided by smart recruitment, including Ethan Ampadu, Pascal Struijk, and Willy Gnonto as key figures from last year to this season, and Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka as two names among the better summer signings thus far.

However, they will know the importance of getting the January transfer window right this time around. It could be pivotal in shaping the second half of the campaign, and recruitment discussions and plans will be going on all the time currently behind the scenes ahead of a crucial winter window for the sides in the promotion mix.

Here, we take a look at a best case scenario signing and a worst case scenario sale that Leeds could be involved in during the January transfer window.

A versatile attacking midfielder was on the club's priority list following Rutter's summer departure, but Leeds made Ramazani and Manor Solomon their main forward signings to help ease the creative burden on other players. However, it is likely to be on the agenda again in January.

Fringe players who are out of favour at Premier League sides is a good place to look, and Harry Wilson’s influence at Fulham during their Championship title win was exceptional and cannot be overstated. Since joining the Cottagers from Liverpool in 2021, the Welsh international has consistently shown why he’s one of the Championship’s standout creative players, but opportunities are harder to come by in the top flight.

His place is well down the pecking order in the Premier League, but his quality is undeniable. His attacking intelligence top drawer and he excels at finding pockets of space between the lines and in the half-spaces, making him a constant threat in forward play at this level. His vision and ability to pick out key passes made him the creative heartbeat of the side in 2021/22.

Whether it’s threading through balls for strikers or cutting inside to shoot powerfully from distance, Wilson is always looking to create something out of nothing and has the required creativity and match-winning qualities to be a success in West Yorkshire, as his left foot is a thing of beauty.

Wilson can strike from distance with accuracy and power, adding a dynamic element to Leeds' attack that very few of their forward line possess. His ability to whip in dangerous crosses and corners would be enough weapon in Farke's attacking arsenal. Set-pieces are where he truly shines, and he’s a player who can turn a game with a moment of magic from a free-kick.

He’s a player who can win matches both through moments of brilliance and consistent quality, whilst he could operate as either a right-sided winger or attacking midfielder for Leeds. They have very few left-footed forwards like him in their ranks as well.

The last time he played at this level, he notched 10 goals and 20 assists in 41 Championship matches, and he's likely to be available for a loan in January, solving a huge issue in Leeds' squad in a no-brainer move.

Worst case: Pascal Struijk leaves

Leeds will be desperate to hold onto all their crucial players, including Gnonto and Ampadu, although that appears likely with the latter the club captain and the former only signing a new deal in the summer. Pascal Struijk is perhaps the highest profile player that they risk losing if an offer comes in that they simply cannot refuse in the winter market.

He is simply irreplaceable for Leeds. Under the current boss, the Dutchman has emerged as a vital cog of the team's build-up play and a defensive powerhouse of late, making it unthinkable for the club to entertain selling him. Farke has previously described him as the cornerstone of the club's future, which signifies his importance to the side now and in the long term.

In possession, Struijk is pivotal. His composure on the ball and ability to progress play from the back align perfectly with Leeds' current philosophy. Leeds' build-up often starts with Struijk calmly distributing from deep, threading passes through the lines or linking up with the midfield.

His vision and ball-playing skills allow Leeds to control games and transition smoothly from defence to attack. Few defenders in the Championship are as comfortable stepping out of defence with the ball at their feet, making Struijk a key asset in Farke’s system.

Out of possession, Struijk shines just as brightly these days. His positioning, anticipation, and sheer physicality and frame make him one of the Championship’s top defenders. Whether it’s making crucial interceptions or winning aerial duels and individual battles, he is reliable and dominant.

His ability to read the game ensures he’s often in the right place at the right time, preventing dangerous situations before they develop. Leeds can’t afford to lose someone of Struijk’s calibre. His blend of defensive solidity and technical quality makes him indispensable as they push for promotion. Selling him would leave a gap that would be nearly impossible to fill.

He will have two-and-a-half years left on his deal in January, but Leeds ought to have the same stance on him as they do almost every player in the squad, to avoid any potential nightmare situations and the need to replace key pieces of the first-team and, indeed, the best line-up; Struijk is certainly one of the first names on the teamsheet at the moment.