Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
George Bennett & Matthew Hobkinson

The free agents Leeds United can still sign beyond January transfer deadline

Leeds United had a bumper transfer window this month, with four new signings and the departures of six players.

Georginio Rutter became Leeds' club record signing when he joined from Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim earlier this month, while Max Wober was reunited with Jesse Marsch following his arrival from Red Bull Salzburg. The late arrivals of Weston McKennie and Diogo Monteiro have also bolstered the squad heading into the second half of the season.

Even though the January transfer window has now closed, the club can still sign players without contracts, otherwise known as free agents.

READ MORE: Weston McKennie's foul-mouthed Leeds United admission sums up why he's joined Tyler Adams

LeedsLive has taken a closer look at which free agents the Whites can still sign.

Sime Vrsalijko

Leeds have sent Cody Drameh on loan to Championship side Luton Town until the end of the season, and have Rasmus Kristensen and Luke Ayling as options at right-back. Ayling's contract expires in the summer, while Rasmus Kristensen has experienced a mixed start to life in the Premier League.

Former Atletico Madrid right-back Sime Vrsalijko is currently a free agent after his contract at Greek giants Olympiakos was terminated by mutual consent in November. The 31-year-old announced his international retirement last summer after earning 52 caps and helping guide Croatia to the World Cup final in 2018.

He won the La Liga title at Atletico Madrid in 2021, and also lifted the UEFA Europa League with the Mattress Makers in 2018. Vrsalijko has also had spells in Italy at Genoa, Sassuolo and Inter Milan, and started his career at Dinamo Zagreb, where he four consecutive league titles.

ISCO

Admittedly not in his prime, the former Real Madrid man now finds himself without a club following the collapse of his deadline day deal to Union Berlin.

The Spaniard has proven himself at the top level and with Christian Eriksen performing well for Manchester United at 30 - there is no reason to rule out the move based on age.

Isco's creative qualities are still clear to see, yet questions will remain over potential wage demands due to his previously lucrative contract with Los Blancos. McKennie's arrival may well have filled Marsch's gap in midfield, but the playmaker remains an exciting - albeit unlikely - option for the club to keep their eye on.

Andre Ayew

If age was not a barrier for Isco's arrival at Elland Road, that may well not be the case here. Ayew is no longer in his prime and at 33-years-old the Ghanaian would considerably bring up the average age of the squad.

Ayew does come with Premier League experience however, having played for both Swansea City and West Ham United.

Marsch does already have a considerable deal of choice in attack - with Rutter joining up with the squad alongside Willy Gnonto and Rodrigo; while both Patrick Bamford and Luis Sinisterra have now also recovered from respective injuries.

It is likely that Leeds would only consider signing Ayew as a matter of emergency, should they find their squad ravaged with injuries towards the run-in.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.