Leeds United are leaving late when it comes to getting bodies into the building as the next few days are expected to be dramatic before the transfer window officially closes.
Both Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon have joined Elland Road in quick succession, but they are expected to be joined by more new faces with the likes of Roland Sallai on the Whites’ expected shopping list among a host of other names.
Daniel Farke will be looking to add a new attacking midfielder if he can, with Georginio Rutter, who broke West Yorkshire hearts when he moved to Brighton and Hove Albion, as that intriguing target now features on Leeds’ agenda.
Leeds transfer news
According to a report from journalist Alan Nixon via Football League World, Sheffield United are another new Championship club set to battle for the services of AFC Bournemouth jewel Philip Billing, who Leeds are also interested in.
Cherries manager Andoni Iraola has said he wants to keep Billing at the Premier League side, but increased playing time could tempt the 28-year-old to move to Elland Road, having played just 12 minutes. action, which in the new season at its peak has reached as far as the two matches so far.
The Scandinavian star would have taken League Two by storm had he been snapped up as a ‘statement buy’ at the death, while Joel Piroe would have fallen far down at Leeds had Billing come on in the last minute, given the Dane’s incredible numbers at previous levels.
What Billing can offer Leeds
The former Huddersfield Town man would put together a very impressive run of ten goals and ten assists in his last 40 games in League Two, with the Cherries number 29 able to play either as a traditional central midfielder or behind Piroe’s sole striker . I’ve been struggling lately.
Piroe has fallen out of favor with the Leeds crowd of late, even with 13 goals and three assists last season in the Championship, and his absence from the starting line-up away to Sheffield Wednesday actually benefited the Whites last time out as Brenden Aaronson conceded the home opener in 2 He wins -0 at his place.
Piroes Regular Season Numbers (23/24) vs. Billings (21/22)
Balance – per 90 minutes*
Pyroes
Billing
Games played
45
40
Made goals
13
10
assistant
3
10
shot*
1.9
1.7
Scoring frequency
216 min
331 min
Big opportunities missed
8
11
Great opportunities were created
3
13
Touch*
27.2
45.6
Feed accuracy*
15.3 (81%)
22.6 (75%)
Total number of matches won*
1.9
5.0
Unlike Piroe, who was more willing to take the ball and make things happen, with ten more big chances created in 2021/22 compared to the Dutchman’s exit in 2023/24, Billing would fill the hole left by Rutter’s departure , less obvious, with the Dane always ready to receive a pass and create an opening.
The winning matches of the better Piroi also count, an average of five per championship game on the way to automatic promotion. Billing would be a great addition to Farke’s nervous camp during critical games when a decisive decision can decide a tough business.
He is also capable of performing having made the step up to the Premier League, with Billings impressively netting seven times in 2022/23, the £45,000-a-week target – according to Capology – seems like the perfect fit for the Whites as they strive for promotion again.
It remains to be seen whether Billings – once described by David Wagner as a player who “has it all” – can be persuaded to return to the Championship, but Leeds must continue to push and deliver on that statement if they are truly serious about your chances of advancement.