Leeds United’s new Dubai-based owners, GFH Capital, face a challenge to land one of their first targets in the January transfer window.
The arrival of winger Jerome Thomas from Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, along with Alan Tate from Swansea, coincided with a sharp upturn in Leeds’ fortunes.
Wins against promotion challengers Crystal Palace and Leicester City, and a 4-2 victory at neighbours Huddersfield Town, helped Neil Warnock’s side end a seven-game winless streak and raise hopes of a genuine challenge for the Championship play-off spots.
Thomas and Tate arrived at Elland Road within hours of GFH Capital completing the first part of the takeover, and according to Warnock the working capital they immediately injected into the club helped push the loan deals over the line.
Thomas impressed on his debut against Palace and his absence through injury was felt when the side lost 3-1 to bogey club Derby on Saturday.
The permanent capture of both Thomas and Tate, as well as Michael Tonge and Southend winger Ryan Hall, is considered a priority for the new owners when they take full ownership of the club on December 21st.
However, West Brom are reluctant to part with their winger, who hasn’t yet features for the club during their surprise start to the Premier League campaign – and could provide the first test of GFH Capital’s financial power.
“The reason Jerome went out was to get games under his belt,” said club coach Stuart Downing.
“Steve [Clark] found he couldn’t give that regularity of games so we wanted him to go out and get some football. It’s a case of go out and play as much as you can over the Christmas period and prove your fitness.
“We’re not shutting the door at all on Jerome.”
In such a tight division – just five points separates 6th placed Watford from 17th-placed Burnley – GFH Capital’s ability to bring in better players could prove crucial to Leeds’ chances of delivering a eighth promotion for Neil Warnock.
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