Leeds United’s hopes of signing Fabio Carvalho in January have been dashed, as Brentford manager Thomas Frank confirmed the midfielder is “very happy” at the club.
Carvalho, 22, was a summer target for Leeds, who sought a loan deal from Liverpool. However, Brentford secured his signature with a £27.5 million bid, leaving the Whites frustrated.
In his pre-match press conference on December 2, Frank reiterated that Carvalho is not available for transfer, stating, “I’m very pleased with Fabio. He is happy here, training well, and it’s just a matter of time before we see him flourish even more.”
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke will now need to explore alternative options to bolster his squad in January.
Thomas Frank has doubled down on Brentford’s commitment to Fabio Carvalho, ruling out a January move for the midfielder despite Leeds United’s lingering interest.
Carvalho, 22, joined Brentford in the summer for £27.5 million, leaving Leeds frustrated after their failed loan pursuit. In a December 2 press conference, Frank highlighted Carvalho’s seamless integration into the team:
“He has come into a good team, we are performing well, we are scoring a lot of goals, so I’m very, very pleased with Fabio.”
The statement effectively ends any hopes of Carvalho heading to Elland Road, pushing Leeds boss Daniel Farke to seek alternatives for his January transfer plans.
Leeds United Must Move On from Fabio Carvalho: Here’s Why
Leeds United’s pursuit of Fabio Carvalho appears to be a lost cause, with Brentford manager Thomas Frank reaffirming the midfielder’s commitment to the Bees.
The Whites have already missed out on Carvalho twice: first, when he opted for Hull City on loan last season after leaving RB Leipzig, and again in the summer, when Brentford’s £27.5 million bid sealed the deal.
Hopes were briefly reignited after Carvalho’s father, Victor, called for his departure from West London in a since-deleted Instagram comment. However, despite limited starts—only two in 12 Premier League appearances—Frank has made it clear Carvalho is not for sale.
It’s time for Leeds to look elsewhere as Carvalho’s chapter seems firmly closed.
Leeds United must finally put their Fabio Carvalho pursuit to rest and turn their attention elsewhere. Despite his clear talent, Carvalho has had multiple opportunities to join the Whites, choosing other paths each time.
While it’s disappointing to see such a gifted young player stuck on Brentford’s bench, Daniel Farke cannot afford to waste time chasing unattainable targets. Yet, it seems the Leeds boss hasn’t learned his lesson, as Manchester City’s James McAtee—another summer miss—has now become the club’s top midfield priority for January.
Leeds must break this cycle and focus on realistic, committed signings to strengthen their squad.
Leeds United’s need for reinforcements in the number 10 role is undeniable. Brendan Aaronson’s recent dip in form highlights the strain of a relentless workload, making it clear that he needs a reliable deputy to share the creative burden.
While a new attacking midfielder is expected to arrive at Thorp Arch in January, it’s evident that Fabio Carvalho won’t be the solution—and perhaps not James McAtee either. Daniel Farke must recognize when to move on from fruitless pursuits and prioritize realistic, available targets who are eager to join Leeds United.
Chasing unattainable names risks wasting valuable time in a critical transfer window. It’s time for Leeds to focus on players who can make an immediate impact at Elland Road.