Report: Leeds United considering move to sign Bun desliga defender

Leeds United and Bitshiabu Links Highlight Winter Window Priorities

Leeds United’s winter plans are beginning to take shape and, as reported by TeamTalk, internal discussions at Elland Road have turned towards whether a concrete move should be made for RB Leipzig defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu. It is a story that neatly captures where Leeds currently stand, buoyant on the pitch, pragmatic off it, and keenly aware that momentum in the Premier League can evaporate without timely reinforcement.

This is a Leeds side riding confidence. A thumping 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Elland Road was not merely three points, it was a statement. The result stretched their unbeaten run to four, lifted them six points clear of the relegation zone and, perhaps most importantly, reinforced belief that Daniel Farke’s tactical recalibration has finally taken root.

TeamTalk’s report situates Bitshiabu within that broader narrative of progress and vulnerability. Leeds look stronger, more organised and more difficult to play against, yet the margins remain fine. The question facing the club is whether now is the moment to act decisively.

Momentum under Farke’s reshaped Leeds

The shift from a 4-3-3 to a 3-5-2 has altered the mood around Elland Road. As TeamTalk note, Farke has been hailed for “bravely transforming both his and Leeds United’s fortunes with a tactical switch to a 3-5-2 from their previous 4-3-3.” That bravery has been rewarded with goals, solidity and a renewed sense of collective purpose.

The Palace demolition showcased that evolution. Leeds pressed with cohesion, moved the ball with intent and defended their box with conviction. It felt like a team comfortable in its identity, a rare commodity in the lower half of the Premier League. Yet such systems demand depth, particularly at centre half.

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Farke currently leans heavily on Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk. Rodon’s durability, highlighted by his “incredible run of playing in 103 consecutive games,” is remarkable, but history suggests such streaks eventually end. Injuries, suspensions and fatigue lurk around the corner, especially during a congested festive schedule.

Defensive depth driving transfer thinking

TeamTalk are clear that Leeds understand the risk. “By playing three centre-halves at the back, Farke knows Leeds lack quality cover should any of Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol or Pascal Struijk suffer injury or suspension.” While Sebastiaan Bornauw and Ethan Ampadu offer alternatives, neither provides the same reassurance as a specialist, Premier League ready centre half.

That context explains why “the addition of another quality option to play in central defence will be vital across the second half of the season.” Leeds’ hierarchy have spoken with Farke and defensive recruitment has been elevated to a priority for 2026, with January an opportunity to act if the right profile emerges.

Bitshiabu fits that brief intriguingly. At 20, standing 6ft 5in, and already seasoned by spells at PSG and RB Leipzig, he offers physical presence and developmental upside. Yet he is also searching for minutes, having made just four appearances this season. For Leeds, that combination of pedigree and availability is hard to ignore.

Bitshiabu profile and Leipzig situation

The report confirms that “one defender that we can confirm has come up in conversation is RB Leipzig’s 20-year-old French man-mountain, Chadaille Bitshiabu.” Leipzig’s stance is pragmatic. They are open to a loan, reluctant to sanction a permanent exit, and mindful of the player’s long term value.

Such an arrangement suits Leeds. Financial caution remains a guiding principle and January spending is rarely straightforward. A loan reduces risk, preserves flexibility and allows Farke to integrate Bitshiabu gradually, rather than guaranteeing immediate starts.

Competition, however, is inevitable. TeamTalk reveal that West Ham have been alerted to the situation as Nuno Espirito Santo seeks defensive reinforcements. Even so, Leeds believe they hold an edge. Their relationship with the Red Bull group, described as a “silent partner in the club and their main shirt sponsors,” has already facilitated several deals. Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen and Max Wober are tangible evidence of that pipeline.

Fabrizio Romano has added weight to the speculation. He posted, “Understand El Chadaille Bitshiabu could leave RB Leipzig in the January transfer window. The 20-year-old defender will be one to watch as Premier League clubs have asked about the situation in the last days. ‘Bitshiabu, currently not happy with his playing time.’” It is a familiar modern football tale, talent constrained by circumstance, seeking opportunity elsewhere.

Calculated risk in a pivotal window

Leeds’ January calculus extends beyond Bitshiabu. TeamTalk also reference interest in Sevilla winger Ruben Vargas, reassurance over Jayden Bogle’s future, and a swift decision regarding a disgruntled Manchester United player. This is a club scanning the market, informed but not reckless.

The Bitshiabu decision encapsulates that approach. Leeds do not need wholesale change, nor can they afford complacency. The festive programme, beginning with a testing trip to Sunderland, will probe their resilience. Depth at centre half could prove decisive in turning promising form into sustained safety.

If Leeds act, it will be with eyes open. Bitshiabu would arrive as competition, not a guaranteed starter, a safeguard rather than a saviour. Yet sometimes survival hinges on such marginal gains. A timely block, a rotated rest, averted fatigue, these are the unseen moments that define seasons.

Credit to TeamTalk for detailing the mechanics behind the story, but the subtext is clear. Leeds sense opportunity, yet remain aware of fragility. Whether they push the button in January may shape not only this season, but the direction of the next.

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Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As Leeds supporters, this report sparks a mix of excitement and nervous realism. The 4-1 win over Palace felt like a turning point, the kind of performance that makes you believe the corner has been turned. The 3-5-2 looks right, the players seem to trust it, and Elland Road feels alive again.

But that belief comes with anxiety. We have seen promising runs unravel before, often through injuries at the worst possible time. Looking at Rodon, Bijol and Struijk, it feels like tempting fate to assume they will all stay fit. The thought of losing one, let alone two, is worrying.

Bitshiabu makes sense. Young, powerful, hungry, and crucially available. A loan feels smart, low risk, high upside. The Red Bull connection gives us confidence that this is not idle gossip. Yet there is scepticism too. Will he adapt quickly, will he accept rotation, will January disruption upset the rhythm?

Still, doing nothing feels more dangerous. This squad has earned backing. If the club want to show ambition and protect what Farke has built, adding defensive depth looks essential. Survival is there to be secured. It would be a shame to watch it slip away for the sake of caution.