After a successful start to their first season back in the Premier League, Leeds United are reportedly ready to make a move in earnest to sign a Serie A attacker in January.
Leeds’ 2026 transfer plans
Daniel Farke could not have made his desire to attack signings more clear during the summer if he had tried. The German watched on as Leeds tried unsuccessfully to sign the likes of Facundo Buonanotte and were forced to sign the likes of Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin instead. But so far he has played the cards he has been dealt and built a team capable of staying in the Premier League.
Los Blancos sit 15th in the top flight, four points above the drop zone. There’s still a long way to go – 31 games to be exact – but there’s no denying that Farke’s side have made a good start, only losing their last game against Tottenham Hotspur thanks to two deflected shots.
“Sometimes you need a bad goal like the one they scored today. Today we missed too many chances to get something against a great opponent, Tottenham are in the Champions League and are at the top of the table.
“If you look at the bigger picture, it doesn’t take away the disappointment. Against such a top team, we were the better team. It says a lot about the team that we are on a very good path.” (Falke vs. Leeds loss)
The January transfer window could also help Leeds solve their attacking problems to make up for their summer struggles. Players like Chris Wood are reportedly already eyeing a big return, and others could follow suit.
Alongside the Nottingham Forest striker, the Elland Road side are also reportedly eyeing a Serie A attacker who could add a much-needed spark of creativity.
Leeds considering signing Lorenzo Pellegrini
According to Football Insider, Leeds are currently looking to sign Lorenzo Pellegrini in January and are ready to step up their pursuit of the AS Roma attacking midfielder.
Leeds will have a huge opportunity as the Italian has less than 12 months left on his current contract and will be free to hold pre-contract negotiations with interested clubs in January. The Yorkshire club could wait until the summer to sign a free agent or lure Roma into a cut-price deal in a bid to cash in before it’s too late.
But whatever they do, Leeds will need to act quickly. Given his contract situation, they are unlikely to be the only club interested in signing Pellegrini.
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini may also want to keep the 29-year-old after telling reporters last month: “Pellegrini hits the ball very well and has good run timing, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be all he does. He has to play as a midfielder and create chances like he did today.”
Given the potential interest in his signature, there is no doubt that Leeds would be quite successful in signing Pellegrini in 2026.
