Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has dropped a worrying transfer update ahead of the January window.

What's the story?

The Whites find themselves in a difficult position in the Premier League heading into the busy Christmas period, with their mid-week drubbing at the hands of Manchester City placing a lot of scrutiny on the club's growing injury list and potential transfer plans.

And now, Bielsa has delivered an update on where things currently stand, and it's not great news for Leeds fans.

He said: "It’s a question that I’ve answered various times, I don’t have a different answer than what I’ve given up until now. Of course I’m losing authority in the position I defend because every game presents new difficulties. The question you ask me leaves me defenceless to defend my ideas.

"It’s also important to leave clear what I’ve said about this subject previously. The capacity for an institution to fortify their squad has a limit due to their budget. In that sense the president, the club have acted in a more than sufficient manner. But this is not the moment for me to explain anything."

Fans will be worried

Having been at the hands of a 7-0 thrashing against City, and a clash against a resurgent Arsenal at the weekend, Leeds can ill afford any more big slip-ups in terms of results, and injuries too.

Bielsa has had desperate misfortune with missing the likes of Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Patrick Bamford for extended periods of time and it has placed a lot of question marks over his reluctance to strengthen his squad.

Phillips is now out for the best part of two months and the fact that they've not won a single game this term when he's not featured suggests they need more bodies in the team.

The Argentine has been known to favour a tight-knit group that he can rely on, but what the injuries and illnesses have caused and exposed is a glaring lack of depth, especially in key areas.

His comments that new signings may not be on the table due to budget concerns should leave fans very worried, particularly with the prospect of a real relegation battle looming for the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, Phil Hay has delivered a Leeds United transfer update...