Every player Leeds United have been linked with since summer - including lethal striker and £44m defender
Leeds United could be busy in January as they look to consolidate a solid start to the 2026/27 season
Leeds United have got their 2026/27 season off to a solid start, following an impressive summer transfer window that saw them bag club record signing and future England number one James Trafford, along with the likes of powerhouse defender Tarik Muharemovic and bargain free agent Harry Wilson.
As things stand, the Whites lie sixth in the Premier League table after six games, with the highlight being their 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United at Elland Road. Confidence at the club will be high, with Daniel Farke’s side looking ready to establish themselves a top tier staple once again and end fears of becoming a yo-yo club flitting between the Championship and Premier League.
The decision-makers at the club will be conscious that the squad could do with being strengthened in January, with the inevitable fixture pile-up likely to leave the Whites short of numbers at some point during the second half of the season. Here are the players Leeds have been linked with since the summer window shut, as thoughts begin to turn towards the upcoming winter window.
Every player linked with Leeds since the summer
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Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul has been linked with both Leeds United and Everton of late, after an excellent start to the 2026/27 season in Ligue 1 that has seen him net four goals in six starts and earn his first caps for the France senior side. The 26-year-old forward bagged twenty league goals last season, and has been hotly tipped for a move to the Premier League.
It’s said that he could cost more than £40m, however, with his club understandably not relishing the prospect of selling their key attacking threat when he has a contract that runs until 2030. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has proved to be a fine signing for Leeds, but they could certainly do with some backup for a player who’s struggled with injury problems in the past.
Andres Castrin is another name we’ve seen linked with the Whites over the past few weeks. He’s a 23-year-old centre-back who’s said to have caught Daniel Farke’s eye, but it looks like his club, Racing Santander, will now look to tie the defender down to a new deal with a hefty £44m release clause in an attempt to ward off further interest.
It’s worth noting that the player’s current contract expires next summer, hence the apparent interest from Leeds who could have landed themselves another free agent bargain. It’s safe to say said interest is likely to dissipate for the time being, should Castrin sign his new deal as expected.
Meanwhile, Marseille’s Igor Paixao remains on Leeds’ shortlist after they failed to sign him over the summer. The versatile forward, who can play on either wing or in a more central area, was also of great interest to Sunderland, who ultimately signed Malick Fofana instead. Paixao is said to be eager to leave his club no later than this summer, and the Ligue 1 side could well row back on their rumoured £43m asking price before then.
Which players could Leeds United sign in January?
Other targets are said to include Waterford striker Tommy Lonergan, who has been making waves in the League of Ireland scoring 14 goals in the 2026 season so far, as well as thriving for the Republic of Ireland U21s. He’s been tipped as a great value prospect who could offer the Whites another powerful forward with bags of potential to lead the line.
Atletico Nacional’s Neider Parra is another name we’ve seen cropping up in the rumour mill when it comes to Leeds United stories. He’s a towering young Colombian defender who’s also piqued the interest of both Bournemouth and Brighton, whose track record of signing wonderkids speaks for itself. Leeds’ interest is said to be informal at this stage, but it could ramp up as he continues to impress.
Finally, Moroccan gem Yassir Zabiri is another Racing Santander (on loan from Rennes) star Leeds are credited with an interest in. He’s torn La Liga to pieces so far this season, scoring seven goals including one against Barcelona and a hat-trick against Elche. The Whites are rumoured to have sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old in action, but could struggle to convince him to join if Santander make an offer to sign the striker permanently.