Leeds United must explore these alternatives in January as Euro interest emerges for £10m target – View

Leeds needed investment across the board in their squad if they wanted Daniel Farke to stand a chance of achieving promotion this season, and that came, especially in midfield.

Three signings matched three outgoings to help Leeds’ deep midfield setup, but there could have been a different face arriving at Elland Road after the Whites tabled a £10million offer to Celtic for Matt O’Riley.

Such a bid was rejected, and now the Glasgow giants face interest from Europe for the midfielder that is vying for a Denmark call-up, per Sky Sports, potentially putting Leeds out of the running.

Here, we look at two alternatives that the club could search for as they look likely to miss out on O’Riley…

Leeds have the double pivot very well covered at the moment, and O’Riley would likely have played higher under Farke, meaning a number 10 is probably the best way to rectify not signing him.

As much as Joel Piroe looks a stunning addition to the side and someone that is making the role look easy, Leeds need an option that is more adept at facing low-blocks and more traditionally creative.

QPR attacking midfielder Ilias Chair likely fits the bill, a player that seems better than the level he’s playing at well down the table with the R’s.

Having registered 14 goal involvements last season from attacking midfield, he’s aiming to put up similar numbers again, and could easily in this setup, playing in a role

Reports claimed in the summer window that Leeds were looking to sign talented Brighton teenager Facundo Buonanotte on loan for the season, for that to fizzle out into nothing.

However, Roberto De Zerbi has not exactly justified him staying put for the 23/24 season with limited playing time thus far.

The profile that Leeds need is a player capable of finding the right passes in tight areas around the edge of the box, rather than most of the current attack’s quality coming through how they carry the ball.

Buonanotte is that creative spark that could be worthwhile for Leeds to explore in January, especially if his playing time remains limited at the AMEX.