There was great excitement when Leeds United secured Harry Wilson on a free transfer in the summer. So far, however, the Welshman has not lived up to expectations. “Neither has the club done that in recent weeks. Some have started talking about sacking manager Daniel Farke, but that should not be relevant for now.
Wilson arrived at Elland Road after his best ever Premier League season for Fulham, with 17 goals in 36 games in the top flight.
Leeds supporters had probably envisioned the 29-year-old to be an instant starter under Daniel Farke, now that the Yorkshire club are aiming to climb the table after salvaging their place comfortably last season.
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Struggling to find the place
The reality has been different. Wilson has only started three of the league games this season and has struggled to settle into Farke’s 3-5-2 system. Two of those three starts came in the last two games against Sunderland and Bournemouth.
The attacking midfielder simply hasn’t got it going in the Leeds shirt yet. Although the club is in 12th place, the result is nine goals in nine games, something that worries both the management and Farke.
After a strong start to the season, Leeds have now gone five games without a full pot – and the club can feel that an extra offensive addition can solve the problems.
Harry Wilson in Leeds
| Matches | Starter | Minutes | Objectives | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 4 | 428 | 0 | 1 |
Chasing Gabriel Sara
According to TEAMtalk, the Yorkshire club are already considering their options before the January window, and are considering bringing in a new attacking midfielder to supplement what they have.
The report claims that they are following Galatasaray star Gabriel Sara – a long-term goal for the club, who has previously played in England for Norwich City.
The Brazilian joined the Turkish giants from the Championship club in 2024, but has long been linked with a return to English football. Leeds are among several interested clubs, along with Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Everton and Crystal Palace.
Sara is said to be eager to test herself in the Premier League, having shone in the Championship for Norwich in the past.
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Sara can surpass Wilson at Elland Road
Sara was linked with a £25 million move to the Premier League in the summer, as Leeds were among the clubs approached. He has started the new season in brilliant form.
His performances and goal scoring don’t go unnoticed, and he seems ready to make a difference in English top-flight football if he continues as he is now.
The fact that he has already played in England – albeit at the second highest level – means that clubs can be confident that he will quickly settle into the Premier League.
Gabriel Sara in the Süper Lig this season
| Matches | Starter | Minutes | Objectives | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 690 | 2 | 4 |
Sara has a total of 10 goals and 20 assists in 101 games for the Turkish big club, and also has plenty of Champions League experience from her time in Istanbul.
While Wilson struggles to nail down a regular place in Farke’s eleven after the move north, Sara is confident, fit and has the quality to make an immediate difference at Elland Road.
He was considered one of the Championship’s best players when he was at Norwich, and has taken the step up a level at Galatasaray.
Could be decisive
It will be interesting to see how much Sara would cost if Leeds want to sign him in January. But it could be a signing that makes the difference between several places in the Premier League – if he can replicate his goal and assist numbers at Elland Road.
With Wilson currently a flop in his first few months at Leeds, the arrival of Sara could give the club the quality they are lacking in the final third right now.
Gabriel Sara helped win 2 – 0 over Stuttgart in the Champions League on Tuesday.
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