---
title: "Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa didn’t want to sign a striker in January"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/bielsa-striker-snub-leeds-january-transfer-window/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2022-02-14T17:05:59Z"
modified: "2022-02-14T17:05:59Z"
---

# Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa didn’t want to sign a striker in January

**Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa didn’t want to sign a new striker in the January transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.**

### The Lowdown: Leeds quiet in January

The Whites’ disappointing season continued at the weekend, with the 3-0 defeat away to Everton further suggesting that they are in a Premier League relegation battle.

The hope was that Leeds would make some additions in January, but instead they [did not strengthen their senior ranks](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transfers/verein/399/plus/?saison_id=2021&pos=&detailpos=&w_s=w) at all, meaning Bielsa will need to work with the squad at his disposal for the rest of 2021/22.

With Patrick Bamford suffering an [injury-plagued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/patrick-bamford/verletzungen/spieler/183334) campaign, there was some hope that a striker would come in, but that didn’t prove to be the case.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“383507″\]

### The Latest: Bielsa didn’t want a new striker

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/87971505-leeds-uniteds-decision-not-to-sign-a-striker-has-been-questioned), O’Rourke claimed that Bielsa opted against the idea of bolstering his attacking options, not seeing it as a position which needed urgent improvement.

The journalist admitted: “Yeah, I was a bit surprised (that Leeds didn’t sign a striker in January). But it wasn’t by all accounts a top priority position for Marcelo Bielsa.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-33/)

### The Verdict: Could look foolish in May

Should this be true, it seems an odd move from Bielsa, considering that he has only had Bamford available for [six league games](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/109670/Show/Patrick-Bamford) this season and the fact that Leeds have unsurprisingly struggled without [last term’s top scorer](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/19/Archive/England-Leeds).

This lack of firepower has been a constant issue – the Whites have [scored just 27 goals](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table) in 23 league games – and it could have been helped by the addition of a fresh face in that area.

Bielsa needs Bamford back as soon as possible, or else his decision to overlook the possibility of a centre-forward signing last month could look increasingly foolish as crucial matches arrive in the coming weeks.

***In other news, Leeds reportedly face a ‘major fight’ to keep hold of one player. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/raphinha-transfer-latest-pete-orourke-leeds/).***