Leeds United has not officially started their January transfer window, but the Whites have been connected to several players and may now finally bring in Daniel Farke’s first addition of the month.

Leeds transfer news

Leeds, who are now seven points behind in the Championship, are still planning to make a run at Southampton and Ipswich Town in the race for an automatic promotion spot. As a result, they may look to the January transfer window for vital reinforcements.

Ryan Giles of Luton Town and Calvin Ramsay of Liverpool are two players who might join Farke in adding alternatives at full back. This comes after Djed Spence’s loan at Elland Road was terminated and Luke Ayling left for Middlesbrough.

Wilfried Gnonto, meanwhile, might possibly be on his way out of the Championship after a forgettable campaign.According to reports, the winger may be headed to West Ham United, with Manuel Benson of Burnley being considered a top replacement.The summer of Gnonto

Should the winger depart, Farke might have to look elsewhere for a replacement, and Benson might be that person given a recent transfer rumour that surfaced.

Wayne Veysey of Football Insider reports that following fresh talks on Saturday morning, Leeds are now in “very advanced talks” to sign Benson on loan from Burnley for the balance of the season. Although there were early indications that Southampton and Burnley had agreed on a loan price beyond £1 million to sign Benson, it appears that Leeds is now in the lead to sign the winger after the Saints’ negotiations came to a standstill.

Taking advantage of the situation, the 49ers Enterprises appear poised to surpass their opponents for promotion in an off-field transaction that may have a comparable effect on the field later in the season.

“Aggressive” Benson can make difference for Leeds

Given that Gnonto has only contributed one goal and one assist this season, it’s reasonable to assume that some people won’t mind him leaving—as long as the correct price is paid.However, Benson’s Championship statistics, particularly under Farke, demonstrate that he is more than capable of carrying out the role that the Italian has never quite been able to.

Despite his contribution to Burnley’s Championship victory last season, Benson’s stats show that he is a player who can be very important in England’s second division. In the previous season, the winger finished with 12 goals and three assists in the Championship. The 26-year-old is clearly a fan of journalist Josh Bunting, who made the following posts on X early in the previous season:

Leeds now has a player who is looking to get back to that level in a season where the Yorkshire team still has a chance to pull off an incredible recovery and earn automatic promotion.