Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan says the club's fans are unlikely to be pleased by recent claims that the Elland Road side are unlikely to be busy during the January transfer window.

Speaking in an interview recently with Italian publication Tutto Mercato Web, Leeds' director of football Victor Orta revealed that the club will continue their conservative approach from the summer window, meaning it could be a 'quiet' January in terms of dealings in and around Leeds.

That however, is something that Whelan believes is unlikely to go down well with the club's fanbase, and speaking to Football Insider about those comments from Orta, the 44-year-old said: “It’s not what fans want to hear, at any club: ‘We’re going to be quiet and not spending too much.’

“Things change, things can change very quickly. Depending on how things, over the next couple of months, go, there might be a little bit of help along the line, one player that comes into the football club."

Citing one example of how Leeds could be forced into the market in January, Whelan turned his attention to the situation surrounding on-loan Brighton centre back Ben White, as he continued: “We don’t know what’s going to happen with Ben White.

"Brighton might say that they’re not going to recall him but at the same time, if a big offer comes in for him it’s going to be out of the manager’s hands. That will be the board that make that decision if a big offer comes in.”

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All six of the senior players to join the club in the summer arrived on loan, although winger Helder Costa's move from Premier League Wolves is set to be made permanent for a reported £15million during the next summer transfer window.

The Verdict

I fully agree with Whelan here.

For many fans, the excitement of transfer rumour mill, and speculation about which players could be joining their club, is one of the most enjoyable parts of the season.

The fact, therefore, that that seems unlikely to happen for Leeds in January, will be a source of disappointment for the club's fans, since it could also have been an opportunity for them to make a statement as they challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

Indeed, if they do not strengthen in winter, then as Whelan says, issues surrounding things such as injuries, suspensions and the recall of loan players, could even cost Leeds dear in their push for that long-awaited return to the top flight.