AliousAs the new football season progresses, Leeds United must already be contemplating potential reinforcements for the January transfer window, despite the summer window having closed just three weeks ago. Many of their recent signings have yet to make a significant impact, with only Manor Solomon, on loan from Tottenham, securing a starting position among the four additions made in the final eight days of the window.
While Angus Kinnear assessed Leeds’ summer transfer activities as worthy of a B+ grade, this evaluation suggests that the club acknowledges some areas were left unaddressed. Manager Daniel Farke expressed disappointment at the failure to acquire another attacking midfielder, but there’s another position that warrants attention.
Leeds would be wise to prioritize signing Danny Ings in January. Although Mateo Joseph has performed admirably as the team’s primary striker in their initial five matches, his youth and inexperience are evident in his finishing. At just 20 years old, Joseph has missed several crucial opportunities in his first stint in senior football, including a costly miss against Burnley. While he rightfully leads the attacking line ahead of Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe, it would be unreasonable to expect him to start all 46 matches for a team with promotion aspirations.
Given Bamford’s ongoing injury troubles and Piroe’s unsuitability as a lone striker, Leeds must explore the January market for additional striking options. An experienced forward to complement Joseph’s youthful energy would be ideal, and Danny Ings stands out as an excellent candidate at this level of competition.
Despite his own history of injuries, Ings wouldn’t be expected to play every minute of every game. His role would likely involve coming off the bench when Leeds need a goal and occasionally starting to give Joseph a rest. Ings demonstrated his value in West Ham’s recent 1-1 draw with Fulham, where he displayed composure to score a 95th-minute equalizer.
Described as ‘phenomenal’, Ings has seen limited action for West Ham this season, totaling just 13 minutes. Even after his crucial goal, he’s unlikely to be satisfied with such minimal playing time. A move to Leeds could offer him significantly more opportunities in a team that desperately needs his clinical finishing, especially against defensively-minded opponents.
Ings presents a more reliable option than Bamford in terms of fitness and finishing ability. Leeds had previously shown interest in Ings during the late stages of the August transfer window, as reported by journalist Darren Witcoop on talkSPORT. Witcoop suggested that Leeds, along with Burnley, were potential suitors for Ings, citing their financial capability and Championship status.
Leeds’ prior interest in Ings indicates their recognition of the need for a player of his caliber. Should his situation at West Ham remain unchanged, pursuing his signature in January appears to be a logical and potentially crucial move for Leeds United’s promotion ambitions.
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