'They NEED to spend money' - ex-Leeds United striker's warning over January transfer window inactivity

The Whites currently sit 12th in a tightly-packed league table - equidistant between the Europa League qualification spots and the relegation zone - and have impressed fans and pundits alike with their uncompromising, swashbuckling style of football since the season began.

Speaking to bookmakers.co.uk, Flo, who made 23 appearances for the Whites during a brief spell in the mid-'00s, urged Leeds to make some fresh signings in their last opportunity before the summer, and contended: "If they (Leeds) want to compete with the top half of the table, then they need to spend some money this month.

“There aren’t that many rumours around players coming in but who knows what’s in the pipeline. Virtually every team will consider strengthening and I’m sure Leeds are no different.”

If Marcelo Bielsa's latest comments are anything to go by, Flo is unlikely to get his wish. In yesterday's pre-match press-conference, the Whites boss told the YEP that no new signings will be made this month, claiming: "It's not contemplated that we are going to bring anyone in and what you have just mentioned (Orta proposing players) hasn't happened yet.

"I am happy with the squad that we have, I am comfortable with it and I feel we can finish this season with these players."

Furthermore, on a Zoom call with stakeholders San Francisco 49ers, Leeds' majority owner Andrea Radrizzani revealed that the club's short-term aim is to simply avoid relegation this season, before working towards achieving a 'best of the rest' status and challenging for European football over the course of the next few seasons.

While January won't see an influx of new talent arriving at Elland Road - or at any Premier League club, for that matter - the Whites rank among the highest spenders in the 2020/21, with big-money signings such as Spain international forward Rodrigo and Brazilian ace Raphinha seeing Leeds' transfer splurge sitting close to the £100m mark.