Jhon Durán on Leeds radar, along with a keeper

02 Feb 2026 09:06 am, by Ellandback1


Jhon Durán on Leeds radar, along with a keeper

On the final day of the winter transfer window, Leeds United may be scrambling to address a growing crisis in goal after rumours of a growing rift between goalkeeper Lukas Perri and head coach Daniel Farke proceeding the Newcastle game last month. In his place, Karl Darlow has done little to stabilise the defence, as evidenced by Leeds’ 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal at the weekend, which saw Darlow inadvertently punch the ball into his own net (later officially credited to Maduake) whose corner had more swerve than Kier Starmer during Prime Minister's Question Time. With Meslier expected to hve his contract paid up today, it has led to speculation that a new shot-shopper could be arriving at Elland Road.

Many fans argue the priority lies further forward, especially after losing out on Jorgen Strand Larsen to Crystal Palace. Enter Jhon Durán: the powerful Colombian striker who left Aston Villa for Al-Nassr in a £64m move this time last year but could be available on loan or cut-price deal. Renowned for his thunderous left foot, clinical finishing in tight spaces, and relentless physicality, Durán is described as a “different animal” on the pitch, a confident, aggressive presence capable of troubling even the most disciplined backlines. Despite limited starting opportunities in Saudi Arabia, his goal-per-minute ratio remains among the most efficient in the game. With Leeds battling relegation and desperate for firepower, the final hours of the window could see the club make a bold, and potentially transformative move for a player who might just be the difference between survival and Premier League heartbreak.





Must Leeds embrace the dark arts to protect their Premier League status?

If Leeds United are going to maintain their six-point cushion over West Ham, they'll need to become more street smart. Daniel Farke's side risks being outmaneuvered by opponents who master the dark arts. Leeds naivety, particularly late on, have already seen them drop points late in games, most glaringly, an alarming eight goals conceded after the 90th minute this season - more than any other top flight team.

Unlike most other top flight teams, Leeds (on the whole) refuse to feign injuries, slow down play when it suits, or shave extra yardage at throw-ins or free-kicks; habits so normalised they barely draw commentary anymore. Against Arsenal, they passively allowed the Gunners to dictate tempo, rather than disrupt the flow or kill the momentum when required. Would it have changed the result - No, but it would have been a tighter game

While their sportsmanship is commendable, it won't help them stay up! How many times this season have we seen a goalkeeper’s exaggerated injury break, allowing players a breather, and time to re-group; or a forward looking for a defenders leg to go over on. Whilst unglamerous, there are such small margins in many games, that any advantage could make that difference of three points.




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Cjay wrote on 02 Feb 2026 12:21 pm

The Subhuman wrote: Mon Feb 02, 2026 11:15 am Well Farke throwing him under the bus twice is not going to go down well with Perri... then benching him for a championship quality journeyman isn't a good look.. especially when he's our record signing at the position
Wasn't his preference apparently, so a bit of a tantrum?

But he did agree to the signing.

So not a great look so openly Criticising a £15mil player.

And it's hard to see a way back? Perri can't be happy about it.

Was very surprised DF was so critical, but then I wasn't because he's done it before with certain players.

weasel wrote on 02 Feb 2026 12:15 pm

Clitheroe White wrote: Mon Feb 02, 2026 10:40 am Is there a rift between Perri and Farke? Beyond not being selected to play where is the rift?

Given the zero lack of credible rumours I'm expecting zero transfer activity today.

Dark arts. I would not want to see us cheat! Never! Stretching time of stoppages isn't cheating in my eyes, but dangling a leg to then collapse like a sandbuilt skyscaper is. No thanks!

Watching Arsenal do this so systematically on Saturday left me feeling so cold about them as a team. Wengers arsenal were an absolute joy to watch, this bunch - no thanks.
Loved Wenger's Arsenal, definitely my '2nd team' during that period. Wanted to see us play like that and we did under Bielsa.Can't stand this Arsenal team, would rather MU won the title than them.

WhiteRose wrote on 02 Feb 2026 11:46 am

Smyth has tweeted that Leeds expect no incomings today so there it is. It’s getting pretty frustrating to have this mixed messaging, bid 40 million for a striker, fail in the bid and then sign no one. Similar in the summer with paixao and Wilson - a cynic would say it’s just PR and the intention is never really there. If the funds are there why are we constantly getting fixated on single targets, where are the credible backups?

Given our luck I’d not be at all surprised to see DCL go down on Friday and be out for the season.

The Subhuman wrote on 02 Feb 2026 11:15 am

Clitheroe White wrote: Mon Feb 02, 2026 10:40 am Is there a rift between Perri and Farke? Beyond not being selected to play where is the rift?

Given the zero lack of credible rumours I'm expecting zero transfer activity today.

Dark arts. I would not want to see us cheat! Never! Stretching time of stoppages isn't cheating in my eyes, but dangling a leg to then collapse like a sandbuilt skyscaper is. No thanks!

Watching Arsenal do this so systematically on Saturday left me feeling so cold about them as a team. Wengers arsenal were an absolute joy to watch, this bunch - no thanks.
Well Farke throwing him under the bus twice is not going to go down well with Perri... then benching him for a championship quality journeyman isn't a good look.. especially when he's our record signing at the position

wilsdenwhite wrote on 02 Feb 2026 10:40 am

I'm still 100% confident we will stay up comfortably. The Arsenal set back hasn't prevented me from still looking toward mid-table rather than the bottom 3. I don't know about embracing dark arts but we must embrace Elland Road because Forest , Sunderland, Brentford, Wolves and Burnley all have to come here and positive results in those games will be the difference. We can pick up 5 more wins no danger with the odd points elsewhere to see us home. It is as simple as that isn't it?

Jhon Duran? Yes please. At the right price naturally. He did look very good when at AV. Spurs are sniffing around him too I think.