Leeds United board 'know exactly' what Farke thinks on January transfer window finale

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke says the board are aware of his thoughts on what they need to do in the last days of the January transfer window but insists they can afford to be picky.

Leeds went into the window hoping to add one or two to Farke's squad in attacking areas and secured Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton, having come close to signing him last summer.

The right wing/10 blend was an obvious vacancy in the squad, but there are other areas that would look alarmingly thin should injury strike.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's importance as a physical targetman cannot be overstated yet nor can his past problems with injuries.

In reserve, Farke has Lukas Nmecha, who has also suffered extensively with injuries and is out for the game against Arsenal with a new hamstring issue, and Joel Piroe who has struggled for gametime this season and does not have the profile of a targetman.

The Whites had placed an official bid for Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen last week, which Wolves declined, which showed their desire to bolster Farke's number 9 options.

Molineux chiefs were known to be holding firm until they knew Crystal Palace's intentions. And on Thursday morning prior to Farke's pre-game press conference, the Eagles swooped with a £45m offer and £5m in possible add-ons to become the frontrunners for the Wolves man.

Farke does not consider the current injury problems in his squad to be of a nature to force their hand in the market before Monday's transfer deadline and was tight-lipped on what he wants to happen in terms of potential recruitment. But he says the board know his thoughts.

“Not because of injuries”

Farke said: “Not because of injuries - Lukas and Jaka [Bijol] we have chances to have them back for Nottingham game, Gabi [Gudmundsson] has a chance for the Arsenal game. It doesn't change our plans at all.

"Like I mentioned, it's our responsibility to give ourselves the best possible squad for the run-in. It's important not to fall asleep. But we can allow ourselves to be picky. We're on a really good path and we can be pretty picky what we want to do. We won't extend the size of the group, we're a proper size and good options.

“These are the principles, but I don't want to speak too much publicly in January. It's a bit easier in the summer when I'm open and honest. January is a bit more tricky because there are limited options. The club knows exactly what I think we need to do, they are aware of this but I'm not willing to give too much away before the window is ended.

“If I was to tell you we need another number 8 - I use this as an example because we don't need an 8 - a potential club in negotiations knows this and the price goes up. It makes no sense to mention the position we're desperate to do something in, there will be no public statements from me, the club knows my thoughts. I can give you an assessment after the window is closed. We're in a very relaxed and good situation."

Farke insists that Leeds' progress in the Premier League this season and the lack of panic internally is a sign of stability. And for him this is a largely typical January transfer market, with its traditional limitations, along with the additional challenge of trying to improve a Premier League squad.

"I wouldn't label it too much different”

"I wouldn't label it too much different in comparison to other years," he said. "But what makes it even a bit more challenging is that right now we are obviously playing in the best league in the world, so it's a bit easier, perhaps, to find players who would improve us, with all respect to the former years, on Championship level.

“And what makes it also a bit more tricky, and thank God it makes it, is that we're in a good position and that we have shown really good performances. If we would have been a disaster and hopeless so far, it would be relatively easy to find players who could perhaps improve us.

"Right now, we have proper competition in the squad and for that there are just limited options in January. That means if you want to find a player who improves you, then it could cost lots of money.

“And the problem is in January, because everyone knows this, and everyone knows that there are limited options available, you could pay overpriced for players, and this is also what I don't want us to do."

The German says Leeds will not take financial risks that could impact their future recruitment hopes and nor can they issue guarantees to loan players, because of how well the squad is playing.

“It’s only a good sign”

"If you have a look on what the teams are doing who have performed really, really well," he said. "There is not much business done so far. And for that, it's normally a good sign that you don't have to repair too many mistakes of the summer, in January. It's only a good sign."

Asked if it was a gamble to not do any more business and rely on the fitness of players in his squad, Farke said he would rather take that risk than jeopardise the togetherness of the squad with too many new arrivals.

"I'm a big believer in that everyone who is in our group should also have a chance to be picked and should also have a clear task," he said.

"So one death you have to die when you think you have a proper group. Then, of course, it could be tricky if they are then out of a sudden, two or three long term injuries when you can't react anymore.

“On the other hand, if you overdo it a little bit and and have too many players around, it could be tricky with the spirit in the group and one death, you have to die. And for that, I rather die the death of not having the group that is too big."

As for outgoings, Farke does not anticipate any exits prior to the deadline.