The January transfer window was a quiet period for Leeds United, but despite it being well claimed they didn’t complete any business, a reliable reporter has now stated that a signing was made, but there was no announcement.
Leeds United’s January transfer window
At the start of the transfer window, Daniel Farke made it clear that he wasn’t a fan of January moves and therefore wasn’t looking to do much business. The Leeds boss wasn’t lying, as it was very quiet at Elland Road, but towards the end of the transfer window, Leeds did start to look at some potential new arrivals.
Related
Leeds must regret selling 20-goal ace who could have been their own Buendia
Leeds United dropped the ball when ditching this attacker prematurely.
Farke admitted that business for Leeds was there to be done if the right player was available and found: “I trust this group, and if we go with this group, I am confident we can finish in a top position.
“I think it is also our responsibility, as key people in the club, to explore if there is something to improve the group a bit and make it a higher probability, we are successful. If we find something and think it’s a good addition and affordable, we will go for it. And if not, then no.”
One player Leeds were looking to sign late on in the window was Southampton’s Cameron Archer. The Whites had a loan offer turned down by the Saints, and with the forward keen on joining the Championship side, Leeds were expected to make a new offer. The 49ers also had their eyes on Adam Armstrong of Southampton, but they missed out on his signature too as he reunited with Tony Mowbray at West Brom.
Leeds signed a young goalkeeper in January
According to Alan Nixon, relayed by Leeds United News, Leeds signed teenage goalkeeper Robbie Cook during the January transfer window but never announced it.
The Yorkshire side were heavily linked with signing the Australian from Perth Glory before the transfer window opened, as were other teams from England. A week into the transfer window, it was claimed that Leeds had won the race to sign the 17-year-old, but there have also been conflicting claims that Cook remains on trial at Thorp Arch. However, Nixon reported on Tuesday that, in fact, Leeds had signed Cook but “never bothered advertising it”.
In December, it was reported that Cook had been on trial with the Whites, and they were ready to offer the young shot stopper a contract after impressing. Furthermore, Manchester United were also interested in signing Cook, but it was claimed that Leeds had fended off their rivals to secure the signing.
Cook’s potential arrival at Leeds would probably see him join the club’s academy side first, with the view to him working his way up to the first team. Leeds will see Cook, though, as a player who can work his way into the first team and be a candidate to replace Illan Meslier in the future and become their long-term number one goalkeeper. If he does join or has joined Leeds, he has the opportunity to learn from Meslier, Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns, three experienced goalkeepers in English football.
