"The 49ers have no excuses" - Leeds United owners sent clear transfer message | OneFootball

FLW's Leeds United fan pundit has urged the 49ers to back Daniel Farke in January

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

The 49ers Enterprises have been urged to provide Daniel Farke with a transfer warchest in the January transfer window in order to help Leeds United over the line and return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

On paper, Leeds appear very much capable of realising those ambitions under promotion specialist Farke, although supporters are not dismissive of the knowledge that the navigation of their ongoing midfield crisis will likely dictate where they end up come the end of the campaign.

Leeds added the likes of Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon to offset the departures of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville - and to varying degrees of success thus far - but they neglected to strengthen the midfield department despite collecting a reported figure of £123.7 million in player sales across the summer and have since been forced to pay the price, many supporters will argue.

Leeds United, Daniel Farke's current midfield crisis

Leeds' promotion hopes were handed an inarguable challenge when it was confirmed a month ago that captain Ethan Ampadu would be out of action until the new year with a knee ligament injury.

Shortly after, salt was applied to the wounds as Ilia Gruev was also struck down by a meniscus injury during Leeds' 1-1 draw at Norwich City at the start of October, immediately undergoing surgery before being seemingly ruled out of contention until March at the very least.

Leeds could hardly have believed their luck. The Whites acted quickly to acquire the short-term services of ex-Wolfsburg midfielder Josuha Guilavogui on a free transfer, but addressing that area of the pitch properly is an imperative call of duty for the 49ers in January.

The Whites recently emerged as one of the Championship clubs to be linked with a move for Nottingham Forest outcast Lewis O'Brien, who is on loan with MLS outfit LAFC. However, it has since been reported that O'Brien is poised to join the California side permanently for a fee of £7 million, meaning Leeds will likely have to look elsewhere and they have been urged to address the midfield scenario in January.

49ers told to back Daniel Farke at Leeds United in January

We asked our resident Whites fan pundit, Kris Smith, if he expects the 49ers to be splashing cash in the January transfer window.

Kris has called for the 49ers to back Farke and provide him with ample resources to address the midfield situation and guide the club back to the Premier League at the end of the season.

Kris told Football League World.

"Given what we know about the injuries that we're currently having to deal with and how much money that we probably have to spend as well - we've got Ethan Ampadu ruled out until the new year and what condition he comes back in remains to be seen, and Ilia Gruev could be out until March - so that's two defensive midfielders we're missing and with that there's a lack of defensive midfield depth.

"That's something that really needs sorting out, even if we've signed Josuha Guilavogui on a free. That just doesn't really cut it.

"Not only that, the reason why I think the 49ers should and will be backing Farke this January is because we tried to sign Gus Hamer for £13 million. We made that bid, that does suggest to me that we've got the money to play with heading into 2025.

"Where we end up strengthening outside of midfield does remain to be seen, but I would imagine that two signings are a bare minimum and the money is there to do it."