Leeds United are insistent that they are expecting a quiet January transfer window with Daniel Farke more concerned about keeping squad morale in good shape.

The manager says he remains alert to any potential transfer opportunities but is keen not to bloat his ranks ahead of the second half of the season with team harmony at a good level. Leeds have let two players leave on loan, though.

Midfielder Charlie Crew has joined Doncaster Rovers on loan for the rest of the season with Joe Gelhardt doing the same at Hull City. However, some supporters believe Championship leaders United would be risking their promotion push by not adding reinforcement.

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But while some fingers might be being pointed at Farke, Leeds have - for the main - been largely subdued and cost-minded in the winter market, which is typically much tougher than the summer window. Looking back over the past five January windows reveals this.

January 2020

There were two cost-free arrivals in early 2020, with United - initially - not spending a penny. Jean-Kevin Augustin arrived on loan from RB Leipzig while Ian Poveda was snapped up on a free transfer from Manchester City’s academy system.

The legal row between Leeds and RB Leipzig regarding an obligation-to-buy clause in Augustin’s contract upon promotion ended up costing the Whites around £24.5million. United had ultimately seen their appeal - which was based on the Covid pandemic exempting them of contract conditions - rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

There were more heading out of Elland Road than coming in during January 2020, the most notable absentee perhaps being Eddie Nketiah. The loanee had scored five times in 19 matches before being recalled by Arsenal.

Owen Coyle made the permanent switch to Fleetwood Town with Pawel Cibicki moving to native Swedish club Pogon Szczecin. Loan-wise, Eunon O’Kane moved to Luton, Conor Shaughnessy switched to Burton and Laurens de Bock went to ADO den Haag.

January 2021

There were no incomings during this winter window as Leeds looked to consolidate themselves in the Premier League. Four would leave the club, two of them permanently.

Jay-Ray Grot departed for Vfl Osnabruck in the second tier of German football for free while Shaughnessy joined Rochdale for nothing. Robbie Gotts and Jordan Stevens secured loans at Salford City and Bradford City, respectively.

January 2022

A year later, things would be even quieter with no arrivals and just one departure - Cody Drameh moving to Cardiff City on loan. A month later, Marcelo Bielsa would be sacked.

January 2023

Here is the exception to the rule. Leeds spent just under £50m in total in a bid to stave off the threat of relegation. Georginio Rutter joined from Hoffenheim for a fee of around £35m while Weston McKennie was loaned from Juventus.

Max Wober was bought from RB Salzburg for circa £11m, having played 68 games under Jesse Marsch at the Austrian outfit. Wober would only play six Leeds games under the American before he was sacked seven days into February.

As for exits, Mateusz Klich would leave for DC United on a free transfer while Diego Llorente was loaned to Roma. Mateusz Bogusz would be the only sale, joining US franchise LAFC for around £1m.

Gelhardt went on loan to Sunderland, Drameh to Luton Town and Leo Fhur Hjelde to Rotherham United.

January 2024

The first winter window under Farke and new owners 49ers Enterprises was - like this year - an opportunistic one, with Connor Roberts arriving on loan from Burnley. Sonny Perkins was recalled from his loan at Oxford United but that was it for incomings.

Hjelde was sold to Sunderland for £2m while Helder Costa was released. Darko Gyabi and Luke Ayling tied up loans at Plymouth Argyle and Middlesbrough respectively, with Poveda loaned to Sheffield Wednesday. Djed Spence was also recalled by Tottenham Hotspur.