Leeds United still have three available loan slots to use when the January transfer window opens in less than two weeks' time.

Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell are the only two players on loan at Leeds this season but EFL clubs are allowed to have five in a matchday squad at any one time.

The loan market is likely to be where Leeds do their shopping next month as the 49ers won't want to commit to big fees for players who either can't step up to the Premier League if promoted, or aren't keen on another full season of Championship football if they don't.

However, Leeds' biggest problem in transfer windows since relegation has been convincing clubs they will get enough game time, as Farke isn't prepared to just guarantee anyone minutes.

Both Solomon and Rothwell have played plenty, though, which Leeds can point to if they run into a similar scenario in January.

Farke was asked directly about a new number 10 earlier this month following his failed request to sign one during the summer.

Brenden Aaronson has been solid with five goals and one assist but the lack of competition means he has started the last 19 matches, with performances having deteriorated in recent weeks.

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And one player they should look at to give Aaronson some help, and potentially even replace him in the team, is Chelsea's Carney Chukwuemeka.

The sheer size of Chelsea's squad means Chukwuemeka has very much been on the fringes at Stamford Bridge this season and Enzo Maresca has confirmed they will try find him a transfer solution next month.

Carney Chukwuemeka and Ben Chilwell are expected to leave Chelsea in January, confirms Maresca.

"There are players who didn't play a lot with us in, like Chilwell and Carney... so probably they are the first who want to leave. We will try to find a solution". pic.twitter.com/z4etgV74L0

- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 20, 2024 View Tweet

He said: "There are players who didn't play a lot with us in, like Chilwell and Carney... so probably they are the first who want to leave. We will try to find a solution."

The 'exciting' Chukwuemeka would hand Farke a completely different option in that 10 role to Aaronson, who is more known for his work-rate off the ball, rather than creative quality on it.

Chukwuemeka, meanwhile, would add some extra height to the front four, as well as some real technical quality with the ball at his feet that has seen him score a couple of really nice goals for Chelsea's first team.

He is exactly the sort of loan signing Leeds need to get promotion over the line, and perhaps a future permanent option could be agreed as part of the deal.

AC Milan could provide Leeds stumbling block The problem Leeds could face targeting an ambitious move like this one is the other clubs who have registered an interest.

AC Milan are keen on Chukwuemeka in January, with the Serie A side having made a habit of signing Chelsea fringe players in recent years, including Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori.

However, Chukwuemeka is only going to find himself in a similar position at the San Siro as he is at Chelsea, considering the attacking talent they have.

Instead, he should look at a move to Leeds as the chance to play regularly.

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