Leeds United are in no position to take transfer…

Leeds United are in no position to take transfer gamble on Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Of all the players to be linked with Leeds United ahead of the January transfer window, it's almost a guarantee that no one expected Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka to be among the names the Whites have shown interest in.

With the 25-year-old falling so far down the pecking order at Old Trafford under new manager Erik ten Hag that he's only made a single substitute appearance this season, it might appear strange at first as to why Jesse Marsch and Co would even look in his direction next month.

The move then appears even stranger when you consider who the Whites brought in during their summer transfer window splash - Danish international Rasmus Kristensen. And while the right-back has himself admitted to struggling to initially adapt to the pace of the Premier League having joined from Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg.

Of course, Wan-Bissaka gives a bit more defensive awareness and fantastic tackling ability if he were to join the Whites - something Kristensen isn't exactly renowned for. It would also give some more depth to the position, although it does raise more questions that it possibly answers.

Youngster Cody Drameh made the risk to stay at Leeds instead of moving away in the summer but hasn't reaped the rewards of the decision quite yet in this campaign under Jesse Marsch. Just a single Premier League appearance in a 5-2 loss to Brentford is what he's been given in return for his loyalty - although consistent starts for the Under-21s has kept him match fit should the situation call for it.

But if Wan-Bissaka does arrive at Elland Road, there would be big question marks surrounding the future of Drameh. It might force Drameh to finally find a move away from Yorkshire to a team where he'll feature with regular minutes.

It's been seen in the past how pivotal Wan-Bissaka can be when he arrives into a defence. After all, the 25-year-old played almost 5,000 minutes across 54 matches in a Man United side that reached the Europa League final just two seasons ago but after playing only half that last season and now just four minutes this season, Whites supporters will ask serious questions if this line of inquiry continues.

But the main question on every fans' lips won't be about squad depth, or youth players missing out on chances or even bringing up the Kristensen purchase from the summer. It'll be 'Well... is it even worth it?'

Is it worth the hassle, the funds, the time, the effort to add another cog into a machine that has been running far from smoothly this season? Looking at Wan-Bissaka's lack of game time, how long would it take for him to get up to match fitness? How long would it take him to get up to a level where he is able to make a significant impact on matches?

Because that's what Leeds are lacking at the moment. Flashes of brilliance from youth players in shock results like we saw in the weeks leading up to the winter break won't be enough to keep them up in the Premier League, especially if teams around and below them make significant gains in the market when it opens next month.

While nothing concrete has been said about Wan-Bissaka's potential move to Yorkshire, it's still a move that would puzzle both fans and pundits alike when you realise it would potentially be a huge gamble to bring him in. Leeds could be scrapping for their lives in the second half of the season if Marsch and his staff fail to turnaround their form.

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