The transfer window is open at Leeds United, as it is the rest of the Championship, and a change of agents at this stage of the season usually only means one thing.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side were linked with Carlos Forbs in the summer. The former Ajax winger would eventually join Wolves on the final day of August instead, only four days after he signed up to a new agency.
Wilfried Gnonto considered changing his agent too back in 2023, The Athletic reported, after his hopes of a switch to the Premier League – Everton leading the race at the time – collapsed.
A year-and-a-half on, Gnonto appears fully committed to the Leeds United cause these days. Few at Elland Road will be having sleepless nights after missing out on Forbs either, with the £11 million man substituted at half time in his only Wolves start thus far.
But if Leeds delving into the market for a versatile attacker once again in early-2025, the Championship table-toppers may be enthused to learn that Alvyn Sanches has opted to switch up his inner circle at a rather intriguing moment.
Leeds have been linked with Lausanne Sport star Sanches on and off in recent months. Reportedly valued at just £7.5 million – although the Swiss title challengers are not exactly in a rush to sell – Sanches represents genuine value for money in a window where bargain deals tend to be few and far between.
Alvyn Sanches changes agent as Leeds United link continues
Now, how much can be read into Sanches changing his agent in the build-up to January remains to be seen. The fact is however, according to Blick, the France-born Switzerland Under-21 international is now represented by the BSG Group.
Scorer of nine goals and a provider of three assists this term, Sanches is more of a number ten in the Brenden Aaronson mould – finding pockets of space between the lines and drifting through challenges – than he is an out-and-out winger like Manor Solomon or Dan James.
Given that Leeds do seem a little short of options in behind the striker – Joel Piroe struggled in a deeper role – Sanches would potentially be a low-cost, high-reward addition for a side boasting a formidable starting XI but lacking depth in a few key areas.
His influence has Lausanne Sport – owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos – just one point off the top of the Swiss Super League table. Considering that their most recent domestic title came 60 years ago, no wonder Stephan Henchoz – a key member of the club’s backroom team – is determined to ensure Sanches sees out the season.
Lausanne Sport ‘will do everything’ to keep Sanches in Switzerland
“We will do everything to keep him,” Henchoz, who earned 72 caps for Switzerland while winning the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup with Liverpool, tells Blue Win. “[We must] convince him of the relevance of our sporting project.
“Alvyn will, of course, leave us to play in a major league [in the future]. But is doing it in January rather than June the most sensible thing?
“We will only give him away at a fair price,” Henchoz adds. “It is possible that a club will make an offer in January that could meet Alvyn’s expectations and ours.
“But I am optimistic. Alvyn has, deep down, the desire to finish the season with us.”
The Yorkshire giants appear to be prioritising central defenders as well this month. Leeds United have been linked with Christopher Wooh of Rennes alongside Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov.
Two Daniel Farke favourites – Nico Elvedi and Andrew Omobamidele – are also reportedly under consideration.
Sanches, meanwhile, is a footballer who’s guile in tight areas could benefit a Leeds team who often find themselves having to break down a low block. See Blackburn Rovers on New Years Day.
“He is a player who has enormous creativity coupled with a good finishing rate,” Sascha Stauch, who coached Sanches for Switzerland’s youth side, tells Blue Win. “He also understands how football works.
“[Sanches is] reserved and rather introverted. He doesn’t talk much but, when he does say something, it’s good things. He seems modest, but knows exactly what he wants. If he maintains this drive, he will give us a lot of joy.”
