The Athletic's Phil Hay has delivered an update on Leeds United's plans heading into the January transfer window.

What's the story?

During a Q&A for The Athletic, Hay addressed claims the Whites could target a move for a new central midfielder, and how Victor Orta sees the January window in general.

He said: "Central midfielders. What else is there to talk about? At least one other person took this further by asking whether a new centre-mid will be a priority next summer, to which the answer has to be 'yes'.

"But January? I’m not convinced the club will do much in January unless the league position is causing acute concern.

"Victor Orta has long seen the mid-season window as offering poor value for money and the club are less and less convinced that January arrivals work for Marcelo Bielsa (see Jean-Kevin Augustin, who we’ll come to later).

"From my perspective, if the season is in hand at the turn of the year, then I’d hold off and gear up for a major midfield addition when the season ends. I think we can all see that it has to be done."

Fans will be worried

Given the injury problems that Leeds have already suffered this season, including in that problem position of central midfield, it leaves a worrying taste to hear that Hay believes the club will not do much in the January transfer window.

The Whites missed out on the signing of a new midfielder in the summer, and that has already come back to bite them, with Adam Forshaw suffering a setback in his return from a long-term injury and Kalvin Phillips also picking up a knock too.

The fact Hay thinks the Whites won't do much business unless their league position warrants it, speaks of the club looking to be more reactive than proactive.

Having some genuine strength in depth in the middle of the park and not having to play players out of position or relying on academy talents to step up in pressure-filled games is so important in the modern Premier League.

Hay's suggestion may leave fans

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this record-breaker...