The players Leeds United should fear multi-million pound bids coming in for this January | OneFootball

FLW outline some of the Leeds United players that are sure to be of interest in the January transfer window.

Leeds United are looking to go one better than last season and gain promotion back to the Premier League, with Daniel Farke's side littered with talented players that will one day play top-flight football again.

He will hope that, after losing key personnel, Leeds will still have the required depth, quality, and output in their ranks to mount another promotion push. Archie Gray, Glen Kamara, Georginio Rutter, and Crysencio Summerville have all left the club as vital pieces of last year's team.

The Whites have added quality and experience but also have a fairly streamlined squad of 24 first-team players, having had a thorough pruning of the group in many ways this summer. There were far more players in the outgoings column compared to the incomings.

The objective now, as always, this season is to gain promotion to the Premier League and there will be real disappointment if the club fail to do so this time around. However, should they miss out, they have some high-quality assets that could be sold next summer, or indeed, in January.

Many of the fundamental pieces of Farke's side this season won't be sticking around for a third promotion push. However, they will hope to retain each and every one of their stars in January. That is vital if they are to build on their strong start to the 2024/25 campaign.

Factors such as form, age, contract length, and Leeds' negotiating position from remaining in the second tier all play a part in determining what their valuation is. The Whites have numerous players that they may have to turn bids down for next month, though, given many are the best and most valuable players in the division.

Here we take a look at three players that could be worth plenty in January, which Leeds must knock bids back for.

Willy Gnonto

Injury to Ethan Ampadu, and the recent arrivals of Ao Tanaka and Largie Ramazani make them exempt from such a list, but one player who has retained much of his value is Willy Gnonto.

His experience at the age of just 21 is what makes him have such a high ceiling and is why Everton made bids so frequently to try and capture his services for two summers in a row. Leeds reportedly rejected a £23 million offer from Everton in the summer, according to a report from Graham Smyth of The Yorkshire Evening Post.

It was reported during the end of the window that Leeds were not prepared to let Gnonto leave Elland Road before the summer transfer window closed, as per Give Me Sport, who claimed the Whites would not sanction a sale because Farke felt like a potential promotion push could be derailed if the Italian departed.

Leeds Live added that, after it became clear that he would not be leaving last summer, he acted professionally, earned back the trust and respect of the squad members, coaches, and supporters, and has not tested Farke's warning of there being no third chance for him.

Gnonto could be a key cog in Leeds' new-look attacking unit, as they look to rebuild this season in attack. His X-factor and match-winning capabilities are why he is one of the club's best players and biggest assets. He has shown flashes of that, although Leeds fans will hope for even more as they chase down promotion.

Even though he has penned a new contract since the close of the summer window, it's a near-certainty that it will be his last season with the club if they fail to gain promotion. The Italian's ceiling is so high and he should reach more of that potential this term. The silver lining is that Leeds can make a huge profit on the former FC Zürich forward, but it is not a risk to take next month.

Pascal Struijk

Pascal Struijk had a terrific first half of the campaign last year but then suffered a setback in his recovery from an adductor issue and underwent surgery. During the first half of the season, Struijk had predominantly formed a formidable centre-back partnership with Joe Rodon, although Ampadu had to step in for the remainder of the campaign.

They complemented each other well as a duo, with Struijk more accomplished in possession and Rodon the stronger physical presence of the pair. Struijk himself was also growing into the role as a leadership figure and captain as well, having been selected before Ampadu in Cooper's absence. His personality in the dressing room and around the training ground had seen him become an influential figure at Leeds.

It was a frustrating campaign for Struijk in the end, but his quality is undeniable. However, had he stayed fit until May, it is fairly likely that Leeds would be a Premier League side right now. His injury is a frustration in that sense, but it also means Leeds stand a better chance of retaining him in the summer window if other teams are unwilling to take a chance after such a long lay-off, which could be a huge factor in the 2024/25 season.

With Rodon now secured permanently and Struijk now fit, it makes Leeds strong once again in an area that had been so imperious, whilst Ampadu dominated midfield battles in his best role just in front of them. Together, they were arguably the best defensive axis in the division prior to Struijk's blow.

Struijk is a crucial player for the Whites heading into next season as one of the best ball-playing defenders in the division and gives Leeds balance with a right and left-footer as well. He has established himself among the league's elite defenders and it is imperative that bids for him are knocked back.

Max Wober

Max Wöber’s place in the Leeds squad has been somewhat underwhelming compared to what he might have expected when returning to the club in the summer. Brought in from Red Bull Salzburg with high hopes and impressing early on during his Elland Road career, Wöber can be forgiven for thinking he would be in line for more starts.

His versatility as both a left-back and centre-back should have made him a key figure in the squad. However, he's struggled to secure a regular starting spot, with competition from the likes of Pascal Struijk and Junior Firpo limiting his opportunities in both positions.

That situation now looks set to change, with Firpo sidelined through injury, and Wöber likely to get a more consistent run in the team. His ability to cover multiple positions could prove invaluable for Leeds in the coming weeks and months, particularly as they navigate the busy winter period.

Wöber's strong defensive acumen and ability to play out from the back are the types of attributes that Leeds will surely need as they push for promotion from the Championship. Despite this, he may still have his sights set on a move away in the January transfer window, which can't be ruled out totally given there have been links.

At 26, he’s entering the prime years of his career and may still harbour ambitions of playing at a higher level. Should a Premier League or European club come calling, Wöber could be tempted to leave Elland Road, even with an increased role under Farke. His situation remains one to watch closely as January approaches, but can the Whites afford to sell him?