Leeds United head into the January transfer window knowing they need to invest in the current squad if they have any hopes of avoiding another relegation battle. The Whites survived by the skin of their teeth on the final day of the season last year, staying up in part due to Newcastle United's win at Burnley.
Jesse Marsch's side started the campaign brightly before a torrid run of results saw them plummet down the Premier League table. They showed signs of life heading into the winter break, but are still just two points above the bottom three at the time of writing.
Supporters have stressed the need for investment after their humbling against AS Monaco prior to the Premier League restart. The Whites were missing a number of first-team players through illness and injury, but fans were still left calling for investment.
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Leeds Live has compiled a list of the players the Whites have been linked with heading into the January transfer window.
Dominik Livakovic
Leeds United have been linked with a move for Croatia's standout performer form the World Cup, goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. The Whites have been linked with a £9million move for the Dinamo Zagreb shot stopper.
It's widely expected that the 27-year-old will move on in January after a stellar tournament with his nation finishing third in the tournament.
Matheus Cunha
Leeds United look set to miss out on a move for Matheus Cunha once again. The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Elland Road for a number of seasons, but the forward is closing in on a move to Wolves.
The 23-year-old has featured 11 times for Diego Simeone's side in La Liga this season, but has reportedly been told he's free to leave Ateltico. The former Hertha Berlin striker is reportedly close to a loan move to the Premier League to link up with Julen Lopetegui.
Chris Wood
The Whites were linked with a move for Newcastle United striker Chris Wood. The New Zealand international only moved to St. James' Park 12 months ago, but speculation regarding his future has been rife following Alexander Isak's arrival on Tyneside.
Nonetheless, Wood has reiterated his commitment to the Magpies despite recent transfer rumours. Wood told Chronicle Live that he wants to see out the rest of his contract which ends in 2024: "100% - especially with the way the club is going, I'd love to be here long-term. Or even longer than I will be.
"I still believe I have a big part to play here. I have not shown my best football here yet but hopefully I can do that given the chance. If not I am here to support the club and push them in the right direction. I am committed here and want to be here. I have played in every game expect one.
"Whatever capacity it is, I want to be here and help the manager. Whichever sees fit, if it's five minutes and seeing a game out, I am here to do it, work hard and press. If it's starting the game, scoring goals and working hard, I'm here to do that. My future is definitely here."
Nicolas Raskin
Leeds United have been handed a potential boost should they wish to pursue a player linked with the club in the last 12 months, Belgian midfielder Nicolas Raskin. The 21-year-old has been banished to train with Standard Liege's second team, according to the latest reports, after failing to agree terms over a new deal.
The midfielder was first linked with a move to Elland Road almost 12 months ago, in last year's January transfer window. A move to Elland Road would not materialise, but the young Belgian has continued to impress in his native country.
The news of his demotion to the second-string will come as a potential boost if Leeds are to renew their interest in the upcoming transfer window. However they're set to face competition from a number of sides across Europe.
Cody Gakpo
Leeds United's pursuit of Netherlands' World Cup star Cody Gakpo has been well documented. The Mirror claims the Whites haven't given up hope of signing the 23-year-old, who was one of the breakthrough stars in Qatar.
Andrea Radrizzani put his admiration in the public eye, tweeting about his plans to push for Cody Gakpo heading into deadline day in the recent summer window. However, the PSV star would stay in the Eredivisie despite Leeds' admiration.
Gakpo has been the standout performer in the Dutch domestic league and now, following on from a solid World Cup with his country, interest has only increased. Manchester United are said to have the upper hand given Erik ten Hag's exploits back in the Netherlands, while Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Arsenal have also been linked with the versatile forward.
Leeds may struggle to compete financially with the aforementioned sides, but they haven't given up hope according to the report, and remain in contact with Gakpo's representatives.
Samuel Illing-Junior
Leeds United have also been linked with a move for England U20s star Samuel Iling-Junior. According to Football Insider, Juventus are set to offer the former Chelsea youngster a new deal after catching the eye of Leeds, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Southampton.
Iling-Junior, who joined the Serie A side in September 2020, has broken into the first-team set-up under Max Allegri, scoring in their recent friendly against Arsenal. The Serie A club have agreed terms with the England youth international, who has made two appearances in the league this season, notching one assist. The former Blues youngster also received his first Champions League bow, grabbing an assist against Benfica.
Azzedine Ounahi
The Italian press claim Leeds United are pushing with 'vehemence' to sign Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi in the latest transfer window link to the Whites.
According to ASRomaLive, the Whites are looking to sign the Moroccan star who was one of the standout performers at the World Cup. The African nation defied the odds to finish fourth in the tournament, knocking out the likes of Spain and Portugal on their route to the semi-finals. They were beaten 2-0 by France but were unfortunate not to find the back of the net.
The report states: “We are referring to Azzedine Ounahi, born in 2000 from Angers on whom Leeds is allegedly moving with some vehemence.”
Jesus Vazquez
Valencia have reportedly changed their transfer stance on Leeds United-linked left back Jesus Vazquez ahead of the January window. That is according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who claims that Valencia are now open to allowing Vazquez to leave permanently for a fee in the region of €4-5 million.
However, with that said, Di Marzio reports that it is in fact Torino who have made the first move to sign him and talks are already ongoing over a permanent January transfer. Leeds have been linked with a move for Vazquez for several weeks now but previous reports indicated that Valencia would only discuss the possibility of a loan.
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