By Gabriel Agbonlahor

18th Oct, 2023 | 3:32pm

Leeds United told to agree deals with wantaway stars in January - Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Leeds United will have to be “strong” to keep their best players at the club in the January transfer window.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Whites should promise wantaway stars they will be allowed to leave next summer if promotion cannot be achieved.

Leeds sit fifth in the Championship despite losing a number of key stars in the summer window, including Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra and Tyler Adams.

The January transfer window is on the horizon and several members of Daniel Farke’s side, such as Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray, have already impressed this term.

Leeds have won their last two games but already trail runaway Championship leaders Leicester City by 11 points.

The Whites face off against the Foxes on 4 November.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “If you want to get promoted, you have to be strong and keep hold of players.

“Even if there are Premier League offers on the table and the player wants to go, then you have to be strong.

“Especially if that player has done well for you in the first six months of the season. 

“You can’t then let them go, because that derails the push for playoffs or automatic promotion.

“They’ve got to be strong. It’ll be easier said than done.

“But Leeds have to say no, and if necessary, let them go in the summer if they aren’t promoted back to the Premier League.”

In other news, three men quit Leeds United as documents emerge.