Daniel Farke is expected to prioritize strengthening the No. 10 position for Leeds United in the January transfer window, especially after the club failed to secure a new forward during the summer. This left Brenden Aaronson as the sole natural backup to Georginio Rutter. While Aaronson’s work ethic has been widely praised, his recent performances have raised some concerns, particularly regarding his impact on the field.
One player Leeds have been tracking for a while is Fabio Carvalho. The club showed interest in him back in January, but Hull City managed to secure a loan deal with Liverpool. Leeds continued to monitor Carvalho’s situation after the 2023/24 season, but it was ultimately Brentford who landed the 22-year-old in a £27.5m transfer.
Since joining Brentford, Carvalho has found himself on the fringes of the first team, making just two Premier League starts. His recent appearance as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Leicester marked his 10th appearance as a substitute this season.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank has expressed confidence in Carvalho’s potential, noting that the player is content at the club and working hard in training. Frank believes that with time, Carvalho will fully settle into the team, especially with the club performing well and scoring plenty of goals.
Capable of playing multiple attacking roles, including left winger, No. 10, or secondary striker, Carvalho’s versatility is an asset. Frank was particularly impressed with his contributions in the Leicester match, praising his defensive work, ability to find space between the lines, and his drive to create opportunities. Frank sees Carvalho as an exciting prospect who could soon earn more regular minutes in the starting XI.
