Leeds United must use Adam Forshaw as inspiration for their business this January transfer window amid reports linking the Yorkshire giants with a very exciting talent...

What's the word?

According to Foot Mercato editor-in-chief Sebastien Denis, the Whites are among several Premier League teams interested in signing Lens midfielder Seko Fofana this month.

"No offer for Seko Fofana has arrived in Lens. [There is] real interest from Burnley but also from Leeds United and Newcastle United, who are the hottest. A bid of €17m (£14.2m) isn't likely to succeed," he tweeted.

Leeds' last January masterclass

Leeds very rarely conduct business during the winter but when they have, it has often paid off. It's no secret that Marcelo Bielsa needs reinforcements to his decimated and injury-hit squad, with a central midfielder a long-term need - even more so now with Kalvin Phillips on the sideline until next month.

The last time the Yorkshiremen signed a player in the role was Forshaw in January 2018. That was a very long time ago but as we now know, his arrival has played serious dividends, barring a serious injury.

It's time for the club to follow up that mid-season transfer masterclass with a swoop for Fofana.

The Ivory Coast international is currently the Ligue 1 outfit's second highest-rated player in the league (7.07). Despite being a midfield powerhouse, he has found the net five times from 20 appearances, also averaging 2.2 dribbles, 1.3 key passes and 0.9 interceptions per game, via WhoScored.

On that evidence alone, it's no wonder he has been dubbed a "complete" player in the heart of the pitch by Lens boss Franck Haise.

"He is the most complete player that we could hope to recruit from the tracks we had. Seko showed a great desire to join us," he claimed (in quotes sourced by Newcastle World). "On the pitch, he is able to stay organized to adjust the team’s balance. At the same time, he has a great ability to create and to be decisive on the last pass. He is also capable of scoring a few goals in a season." Fofana, who is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, has also been likened to former Man City star Yaya Toure in playing style, so he's certainly a very intriguing option for Leeds to be considering. As a former City player, he has learned from the likes of Patrick Vieira and Samir Nasri, too. On the above evidence, the 26-year-old would be a fine addition to Bielsa's squad and in their desperate need to strengthen, they must look no further than the Lens midfield monster. In doing so, they could repeat their Forshaw masterclass of this time, four years ago.

AND in other news, Journalist drops big Andrea Radrizzani transfer claim...