Leeds now plotting January move to sign Premier League star with same agent as Tanaka

Leeds United have entered the race to sign an attacking midfielder, having identified the need to improve their forward options in the January transfer window.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored 20 goals in 51 matches since arriving from Everton, while Lukas Nmecha scored the winner in the 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, but Jermaine Beckford believes Leeds need to sign another centre-forward this winter.

The former striker said: “I would like to see a third number nine, if I’m honest. I wouldn’t call it back up, but as extra competition for those two boys. I do think if one of them does get injured, you are heavily reliant upon the last one. The false number nine doesn’t quite fit a Leeds United team. The January window comes around, I’m hoping to see a number nine get pulled up. We’ll just have to see.”

Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes

Although the Whites have made a solid start to the Premier League season, and currently sit ninth in the table, they haven’t exactly been prolific, netting ten goals in as many matches, which is the fewest of any side in the top half.

In fact, an xG of 13.2 is the fifth-worst in the Premier League over the opening ten fixtures, which may be a slight concern for manager Daniel Farke.

As such, Farke’s side have also set out to bring in a playmaker, with Stuttgart star Bilal El Khannouss recently emerging as a target, but the former Leicester City man isn’t the only player of interest.

Leeds plotting raid on Coventry for Jack Rudoni

REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

According to a report from Football Insider, Leeds are now plotting a January move for Coventry City star Jack Rudoni, but their Premier League rivals have no interest in sanctioning a move mid-way through the season.

As a result, a deal may be more plausible at the end of the campaign, at which point Rudoni will have just one year remaining on his Coventry contract.

The Sky Blues are hoping the attacking midfielder will commit to a new deal if they avoid relegation, and he could be key to their chances, having already found the net three times in the Premier League this season.

Ex-Tonbridge Angels manager Steve McKimm has also lauded his former loanee, saying: “We brought him in and he was a young lad that you could see had potential, but needed that sturdiness of getting knocked about a little bit. Because on the ball, he was unbelievable.”

The 25-year-old has certainly kicked on since his time with Tonbridge, having created 17 chances in the Premier League this season, which is seven more than any other member of Frank Lampard’s squad.

With Leeds struggling to score goals and create chances, Rudoni, who is represented by the same agent as Ao Tanaka, could be the ideal addition to the squad.