Leeds United are once again linked with a potential January signing, with reports surfacing about the club’s interest in Hoffenheim striker Mergim Berisha. The 25-year-old forward has had a challenging start to his time in Germany, having joined Hoffenheim in the summer of 2023 for a reported £11.6 million. However, a serious knee injury significantly impacted his ability to feature regularly, and since his return from injury, Berisha has made only 24 appearances for Hoffenheim.

As Leeds United continue to look for ways to bolster their squad in the January transfer window, this latest rumour highlights the club’s ongoing search for a striker, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Patrick Bamford and Joe Gelhardt. Bamford, despite being one of Leeds’ key forwards in previous seasons, has been linked with a potential departure due to injury struggles and a lack of consistent game time. Similarly, Gelhardt, while a promising young talent, has not been able to establish himself as a regular starter in recent months, making his situation at the club uncertain. Given this, Leeds are expected to move for a new striker, and Berisha could be an intriguing option.

Daniel Farke, the Leeds head coach, has suggested that he expects a quiet January window, particularly after the club made only one signing in the previous winter transfer window while Ipswich Town, their Championship rivals, made multiple signings, which played a crucial role in their promotion push. However, if Leeds do bring in new faces, they are likely to focus on adding depth in attacking areas, and Farke has been vocal about his desire for a creative playmaker to provide cover for Brenden Aaronson in the No. 10 role. But with the need for more striking options also pressing, it’s clear that an addition up front could be on the cards.

Mergim Berisha, a player familiar to some within the Leeds camp, could be an ideal candidate for this role. Before joining Hoffenheim, Berisha had a productive spell at Salzburg under Jesse Marsch, the former Leeds manager. Berisha worked alongside several players who now find themselves at Leeds, including Max Wober, Brenden Aaronson, and Rasmus Kristensen. This familiarity with key figures in the Leeds dressing room could make a potential move easier to facilitate. With Farke’s deep knowledge of German football, particularly from his time managing in the Bundesliga, the links between Berisha and Leeds could have some weight, as Farke has proven to be adept at unearthing gems from the German market, as seen in his successful acquisition of Ao Tanaka from Düsseldorf for just £3m.

Adding to the intrigue, Berisha has reportedly changed agents, now being represented by CAA Stellar, the same agency that manages several Leeds players, including Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James. This shift in representation could be seen as an indication that Berisha is open to a move, and the alignment with Leeds’ current player agency could facilitate negotiations.

However, Hoffenheim’s stance on Berisha suggests that they may not be eager to let him go permanently, especially considering the investment they made in the player. Instead, reports from Sport.de suggest that Hoffenheim is willing to loan Berisha out to a foreign club, possibly to give him the game time he has been lacking since recovering from his knee injury. A loan move could allow Berisha to continue his long-term recovery while also regaining match sharpness. This option would likely be attractive to Leeds, as it would not require a significant upfront financial commitment, and it would give them the chance to assess Berisha’s readiness for the demands of the Championship before committing to a permanent deal.

Despite the potential benefits of bringing in Berisha, the timing of the transfer could be challenging. With only 20 Championship games left in the season, Leeds are in urgent need of a striker who can hit the ground running and make an immediate impact in their push for promotion. While Berisha’s talent is undeniable, there is a risk that his lack of recent match experience, coupled with the physical demands of the English second tier, could hinder his ability to integrate into the team quickly. Leeds will need a player who can contribute goals and offer a reliable option up front, and Berisha’s recovery from injury raises questions about whether he is the right fit for this challenge at this moment.

Nevertheless, the links with Berisha highlight the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Leeds’ striking options and their willingness to bring in reinforcements during this winter window. Whether or not Berisha becomes a Leeds player before the end of January remains to be seen, but his previous connections to the club, his potential as a striker, and Hoffenheim’s willingness to loan him out could make this a move worth pursuing. For now, the club will continue to monitor developments closely as they weigh up their options to strengthen their squad for the remainder of the Championship season.