Daniel Farke tells Leeds United 'don't be afraid of quality' with deal for Chelsea player in offing
Daniel Farke says Leeds United should not be "afraid of quality players" as he looks to add to his squad.
The Whites manager refused to acknowledge speculation Leeds are closing in on a deal for Chelsea playmaker Facundo Buonanotte, but was happy to admit he is on the lookout for creative players who can improve his squad.
"Speculation and rumours, I never speak about this, not outgoings or incomings," he said.
"I can tell you in general about our thoughts, what we want to do.
"We're looking if there is a possibility to strengthen our squad in January.
"There is no need to be afraid of quality players. Every player who has top quality and a top character who could help us is important.
"We are a bit thin in terms of perhaps creative, offensive players, a bit like this winger/no.10 position."
In the last transfer window Leeds' squad was built around a 4-3-3 formation but their success in December came on the back of being more tactically flexible. It has not changed Farke's demand for a playmaker, though.
"We have of course changed the setup a little bit, but I would also label it as a rumour that we have recently just played 3-5-2 because way more often we have played in the 3-4-3 anyhow and that just was one proper striker," he argued.
"It's not like we play right now with two targetmen all the time.
"So even in this set-up, there are unique players who can make things happen, who can play a creative path, who can create chances, who deliver end products and goals. Several times we have positioned perhaps a bit more naturally defensive-minded players in these positions and it was also not too bad. Anton Stach, for example, at Newcastle.
"But if you find a specialist in such a position who brings something that we don't have to the squad, it's definitely beneficial.
"But it doesn't mean it's more or less a new signing comes in and he has straight away a position guaranteed or a player who has done really well will lose his position. It would be just good for the competition.
"We will just do this if we are 100 per cent convinced that it helps us as a group and that's the situation."
Buonanotte was a player Leeds looked at in the summer but he opted instead to go to Chelsea on loan. That move has not worked out for the 21-year-old with only one Premier League start, and Brighton and Hove Albion are expected to recall him from his season-long loan to facilitate a move.
After giving some players the chance to recover from “FA Cup injuries” at the weekend, Daniel James is the only injured player missing for Saturday’s return to Premier League action, at home to Fulham.