If Leeds United are to bring anyone in before January transfer deadline day, they have less than a week to do so.

Daniel Farke has often underlined that he will “stay awake” in the window, albeit he also explained how he is finding it hard to find players who could improve a team that is top of the Championship.

The United boss has repeatedly explained how he will only jump for a new signing if he can improve the side, if the player has the right mentality and if he is affordable - the perfect criteria, in many senses. Meanwhile, many supporters believe Leeds do need to improve quality in a number of areas.

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While a new striker has been touted among fans, more focus is now being placed on the number 10 role. Brenden Aaronson has started the last 27 Championship matches but has not scored or assisted in the last five games, and has just one goal in his last seven outings.

He has little in the way of direct competition at the moment, with no natural back-up in his role. Farke has identified several fall-back options including Manor Solomon, Wilfried Gnonto and even Joel Piroe as a loose striker, albeit none are fluent in the no.10 position.

Piroe himself is stagnating in form with just one goal in six matches. His back-up, Mateo Joseph, has not scored since the middle of October despite featuring in all but one Championship game.

Despite these issues, United remain top of the table and have lost just three league games all season. They have scored five more goals than anyone else in the division and boast a league-best goal difference of 34.

The fear from fans comes from what could lie ahead. Supporters witnessed their club falling just short last year and know of the ramifications if the Whites do not go up again this time around. Given the current squad options, it would be a travesty if they didn’t.

But that is not to say United are not in need of a spark, especially at no.10. Aaronson has buzzed around and worked a lot, without producing much of late. That was particularly the case against Burnley.

The American forever pressed but misplaced six passes, failed to muster a shot and made just one ‘key pass’ throughout the whole 90 minutes against a Burnley defence that needed something different to be unlocked.

Perhaps competition - or a rest - will help rejuvenate the status quo. But the question is who is out there to get that fits Farke's transfer framework.

Emiliano Buendia, who is available on loan from Aston Villa, would be an ideal signing and fits Farke’s criteria. But with Bayer Leverkusen showing interest, Leeds cannot compete.

There are few other similar options out there, with rival clubs always reluctant to lose key players mid-season. January is always a tough market and one that clubs need to be proactive in if they are to be fruitful. United are open to opportunities but that stance might not be enough to see a new face arrive.

United will be playing a risky game if they place all of the No.10 burden on Aaronson for the rest of the season. Even if he picks up form, injury can strike and create a preventable headache.

Leeds need a spark from somewhere, and many will want that to come through the market. But Farke’s perfect transfer criteria slims that possibility given the limited options available and it looks more likely that inspiration will have to come from within.