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Loads of Leeds fans have been reacting to a worrying update, as Marcelo Bielsa says he does not expect to make any signings in January.

Leeds fans were concerned about the size or their squad at the beginning of the season, and those fears have been well and truly justified.

The Whites have lost multiple first team players to long-term injuries, and the returns of Izzy Brown and Patrick Bamford unfortunately coincide with Stuart Dallas and Liam Cooper joining the long-term injury list.

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Bielsa just can’t catch a break, but Phil Hay of The Yorkshire Evening Post reports the boss does not plan to strengthen the squad in the January transfer window.

Bielsa “doesn’t expect” to make any signings according to Hay, because players that will genuinely improve the side are “expensive and difficult to get”.

While the manager’s quest to simply work with the players he has at the club is admirable, the decision to not invest in January could be a shocking lapse of judgement from owner and chairman Andrea Radrizzani.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where fans seem split on the news…

Nuno Espirito Santo is reportedly keen to add to his options in attack despite Raul Jimenez excelling since joining from Benfica.

The Portuguese forward has made a brilliant start to life in England, scoring four and registering four assists for the Midlands club. Wolves are reportedly keen to make his temporary stay in England permanent, but Benfica want around £30m for his signature. The forward himself admitted that he is in no rush to commit his future and ruled out a January deal in a recent interview.

Despite Jimenez’s form, reports suggest that Nuno still wants to sign a striker in the upcoming transfer window. Wolves have been linked with Liverpool forward, Divock Origi, in past windows but the Belgian rejected a move to Molineux. It remains to be seen whether Wolves will reignite their interest or seek other options in the New Year.

One potential alternative is Montpellier forward – Gaetan Laborde. Valued at just £4.5m by Transfermarkt, the Frenchman joined his current employers in the summer in a cut-price deal from Bordeaux. The 24-year-old only enjoyed a bit-part role with his former club and has hit the ground running since leaving.

Laborde has been in fine form in front of goal, scoring seven goals and registering one assist in 14 Ligue 1 appearances. The target man has the strength and dribbling ability to hold up the play and bring others into the game as well as being an instinctive finisher. As well as excelling with the ball at his feet, the former France U20 international is also a huge presence in the air, winning an incredible 3.2 aerial duels per game this season highlighting the danger he would pose to Premier League defences (WhoScored).

A move to the Premier League could be just what the forward needs to break into senior French national team in the future.

Wolves fans, thoughts?

Leeds United have been rocked by the revelation that Samu Saiz will be joining Getafe on a season-long loan deal when the January window opens for business.

The dazzling style of free-flowing football which Marcelo Bielsa has installed at Elland Road was embodied by Saiz during the early stages of the season. Almost every scintillating attack which Leeds created was orchestrated by the Spanish playmaker, with his technically astute style of play providing the brains behind the operation.

But eventually Saiz was found out by Championship defenders and his threat was consequently nullified. Bielsa mixed things up but there was little concern over Saiz’s long-term future until, out of almost nothing, it was confirmed that he will be joining Getafe.

What next for Leeds? Well, Izzy Brown’s latest injury setback has left the club without a natural number ten and his lack of first-team football this season and beyond is a major cause for concern.

In a nutshell: Leeds simply cannot rely on Brown for more reasons than one. With that said, Bielsa may be forced to go against his instincts and bring a new player to the club in January, and Manchester City’s Brahim Diaz should be at the top of his wishlist if he eventually decides to strengthen.

Diaz, 19, is set to sign a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid in January, according to a recent report from El Chiringuito (via Sports Mole). If that report eventually proves to be true it will represent another huge setback for Man City in their endeavour to promote youth players into the senior squad.

Along with Phil Foden, Diaz is the hottest prospect to emerge from City’s academy since Sheikh Mansour purchased the club in 2008. The tricky Spaniard was handed a rare start against Leicester City yesterday evening, and he showcased a level of confidence in possession which would get supporters on their feet at Elland Road; skipping beyond players with incredibly ball control and agility came naturally, while his interplay in the final-third was incredibly quick-witted.

He is unquestionably a rough diamond in comparison to the more complete and well-rounded Saiz, but his raw level of potential is vastly superior to almost anything else on the market and, considering his future reportedly lies away from Man City, Pep Guardiola is unlikely to have any interest in keeping him at City.

And Bielsa’s positive long-standing relationship with Guardiola could make all the difference if he decides to pursue a deal for Diaz. Considering the circumstances and Diaz’s breadth of outstanding attacking qualities, Leeds should be targeting him to guarantee a smooth transition into a post-Saiz future.

Leeds fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa confirmed in his Aston Villa pre-match press conference on Friday that he could start Luke Ayling following his return from injury, but there are two seriously good reasons why he must take his place on the substitutes’ bench instead.

On the chalkboard

The 27-year-old has been on the sidelines since the end of October after suffering a knee injury, but his Argentine boss surprisingly revealed that he could select him to start at Villa Park on Sunday.

That would certainly be no surprise in many ways given the Yorkshire outfit’s defensive crisis in recent weeks, with the absences of Ayling, Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi meaning that midfielders Stuart Dallas, Kalvin Phillips and Jamie Shackleton have taken their places in unfamiliar roles in the backline.

It is the latter who has filled in for the former Bristol City man at right-back most recently, and he has impressed.

Why should Bielsa leave Ayling out?

While there is no question about the quality and experience he brings to Leeds, coming up against an in-form Yannick Bolasie this weekend means he shouldn’t be named in the starting XI.

If he was match-fit there is no question that he could deal with the Everton loanee, but given he has only just returned the prospect of playing such a tricky and speedy winger means that the 27-year-old would be in serious danger of aggravating the problem he has only just recovered from, and the Whites can’t afford for that to happen as they need him available over the busy festive period.

Furthermore, Shackleton has proved in recent matches that he has the pace and defensive nous to deal with a player who has provided four assists in his previous four Championship outings.

It would be seen as a risk by some, but it makes sense to stick with the teenager who has done more than enough to earn his place and Bielsa shouldn’t want to send a negative message to him.

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Jack Ross will be making a huge mistake if he pursues Celtic defender Jack Hendry, with reports in The Mirror linking the Black Cats to the 23-year-old.

What’s the word?

Hendry returned to the Hoops for £1.5million on deadline day of the last transfer window, but has failed to nail down a place in Brendan Rodgers’ side since.

The Bhoys are now said to be open to the central defender leaving on loan, with The Mirror linking Sunderland and Portsmouth to the Celtic product, who left the Scottish Premiership side for Peterborough in 2011.

The 3-cap Scotland international last featured for Rodgers in his side’s 3-0 win over Hearts on October 28, however, coming on as a late second-half substitute for Kristoffer Ajer.

One of the causes for the player’s departure, albeit on loan, after just a year comes with Celtic’s head of player recruitment Lee Congerton being touted as a target for Anderlecht, which is claimed to be a signal for fringe players moving on in a mass exodus.

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Ross would be making a mistake

Given the stature of Sunderland and the demands placed on the players as they look to clinch promotion back into the Championship at the first time of asking, Ross would be making a huge error by agreeing to take Hendry on loan.

The defender has not featured for Rodgers since late October because he has been pushed so far down the pecking order at Celtic Park, with 28-year-old Dedryck Boyata regularly chosen over Hendry despite declining a new deal at the club and being a target for Premier League sides.

When he has played for the Hoops, Hendry has struggled massively and looked completely out of his depth at times, and that is not the calibre of player that Ross needs at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats need to be tempting more proven talent to join their League One quest, not players who will upset the rhythm currently being built, recording three wins in their last five games.

Sunderland have also only conceded more than two goals a game twice since the start of December, a run that involved nine games and facing off against league leaders Portsmouth – the only side to have put more points on the board after 26 games, having played two more fixtures.

Do you agree that Hendry would be a risk for Ross? Let us know in the poll below…

According to The Sunderland Echo, The Black Cats are targeting the signing of Celtic winger Lewis Morgan on loan this January. 

The move would see the 22-year-old be reunited with manager Jack Ross, with whom he was with last season at St Mirren. Morgan was sensational last season with The Buddies, helping secure them promotion from the Scottish Championship with 14 goals and six assists in 35 appearances.

Morgan has struggled to make an impact so far for Celtic this season, however, and while he has featured under Brendan Rodgers, it has largely been from the bench and he is yet to score. However, at the age of 22, he is still in his formative years, and it would make sense if he joins up with the manager that has been able to get the best from him so far in his career. It will only help his development before returning to Parkhead.

Ross’s Sunderland currently sit in third place in League One, and while they remain one of the favourites to get promoted this season, they are still struggling to look wholly convincing. While Chris Wyke continues to find his best form this season after an injury lay-off, an injection of attacking potency from a player like Morgan is what Sunderland need to complement fellow in-form forwards Josh Maja and Lynden Gooch.

There is no point letting Morgan rot away on the bench at Celtic Park this season, when he could be part of a huge promotion operation at the Stadium of Light.

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According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic’s James Forrest has emerged as a surprise summer target for Premier League leaders, Liverpool, who value the Scotsman at £8m.

The 27-year-old is a key player for the Hoops and is currently having by far his best season in green and white – the winger has bagged eight goals and chalked up nine assists in 18 SPFL appearances and this has reportedly put him on the Reds’ radar, who likely see him as a good squad option.

Celtic are no strangers to selling their big stars on for a handsome profit, having offloaded Virgil van Dijk and Moussa Dembele for huge fees in recent years, but the Bhoys and Ghirls aren’t ready to let go of another so easily.

Many scoffed at the £8m fee being reported, with one fan suggesting that the Parkhead outfit accept nothing less than £30m for the speedster – almost as much as they received for van Dijk and Dembele put together.

You can check out the best of the reaction on Twitter below…

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Paul Pogba is poised to make his Manchester United return against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed.

The France international sustained a knock in the win over Newcastle and was subsequently missing from the FA Cup win over Reading, but he is now set to play against Spurs this weekend.

What’s the word?

Pogba was injured after an ugly challenge from Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey as Solskjaer’s men ran out 2-0 winners at St James’ Park.

The World Cup winner was treated by the club’s medical staff in Manchester while the remainder of the squad headed to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp.

Pogba eventually linked up with his team-mates, and is now fit enough to be considered for selection.

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Speaking to United’s official website, Solskjaer said: “He [Pogba] looked okay towards the end [of the training camp], so he’ll be fit.

“He did have some problems but he came through the last couple of sessions well, so he should be okay.”

Pogba has been in electric form since the appointment of Solskjaer, scoring four goals and providing three assists in just four games.

Much needed boost

Pogba has been instrumental to Solskjaer since his appointment, with the former Cardiff City manager enjoying a quite brilliant run at the helm.

United have scored 14 goals in just four games, taking maximum points, and the Frenchman has been at the centre of everything good for the Red Devils behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Thus, with Spurs being their first true test, the Norwegian will have been given a vital boost although the same can’t be said of Jesse Lingard, who may well have been in line for a rare start since Jose Mourinho departed.

Tottenham regularly employ a high press, with the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min bidding to steal possession from both the midfield and the defence.

United deploying Pogba in the middle will make it significantly harder for Spurs to do that, however, such is his grace in possession and his ability to drive his team forward.

Indeed, his inclusion could prove key to United’s chances of picking up a good result, and cementing Solskjaer’s credentials as a potential permanent appointment at Old Trafford.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Arsenal are interested in signing PSV Eindhoven winger Hirving Lozano.

Given Unai Emery’s recent admission that the Gunners are only in a position to secure loan deals in this January transfer window, the signing of Lozano will likely have to be conducted in the summer.

The north London club certainly need a winger, and Lozano represents an appealing target. The 23-year-old has been in fine form this season, racking up 11 goals and 8 assists in just 17 Eredivisie appearances. 

The 34-cap Mexico international is ready to take the next step in his career and for the challenge of the Premier League.

The Verdict

Arsenal’s need for a new wide player is obvious. They currently lack pace and depth on the flanks, with Alex Iwobi representing the only fit, natural winger currently in the senior squad at the Emirates Stadium.

The likes of Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have struggled playing out wide this season. Lozano’s arrival would provide Emery with a far healthier set of wide options.

However, the Gunners must be prepared to go all out to land their man, as the aforementioned report states both Napoli and Barcelona are also keen on the Mexican’s signature. The Premier League club will have to dig deep into their pockets to bring him to north London.

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According to The Independent, Barcelona have relaxed their stance on Denis Suarez, meaning the door is once again open for Arsenal to pursue a loan deal for the out-of-favour midfielder.

What’s the story?

In mid-December, The Independent reported Arsenal’s initial interest in the 25-year-old. Now, though, they claim that since then the Gunners have struggled to come to an agreement with the Spanish club due to Barcelona wanting a permanent move away for Suarez. 

According to the latest report from The Independent, the La Liga giants appear happy to sanction a loan deal should Suarez sign a one-year contract extension at the Camp Nou, to ensure that he isn’t lost on a free transfer when his contract expires.

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This arrangement would suit Arsenal, who Unai Emery has already revealed are not in a position to make any permanent signings during this January transfer window. 

A key role to play

Should the north London club now be able to make a deal for Suarez happen, then the Spaniard could have a big impact at the Emirates Stadium.

Suarez has worked with Emery before, during a loan spell with Sevilla for the 2014/15 campaign. For Emery himself, bringing a player already familiar with his methods and demands to Arsenal will only aid his project of rebuilding the Gunners’ squad in his image.

Suarez may represent a slightly underwhelming addition. He certainly isn’t an upgrade technically on the likes of Aaron Ramsey or Mesut Ozil, but in terms of getting Arsenal to function tactically as Emery envisages, he could have a key part to play for the rest of the season.