Leeds United’s priority remains a new centre-back as they look to bolster their defensive options ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline.
Daniel Farke has made no secret of the fact he would like to strengthen his back line ahead of his bid to return the Whites to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Despite sitting fourth in the Championship, the race for that all-important second spot is incredibly tight, with Ipswich Town on 59 points and Southampton and Leeds on 58 and 57 respectively.
The Yorkshire-based club have been working tirelessly throughout the week on the centre-back position and have approached several clubs in order to try and secure a last-minute deal. With that in mind, who are the four options that are currently under consideration?
Mason Holgate
Reports emerged this morning that Mason Holgate had emerged as a target as Everton consider cutting his season-long loan at Southampton short due to a lack of playing time. The 27-year-old has just five league appearances to his name and has not featured in the Championship since November.
Bundesliga high-fliers Stuttgart are keen, although journalist Alex Crooks believes that Leeds could also appear on the radar should he become available throughout the day.
Joe Worrall
Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall was revealed as a target last week, with the Whites keen to bring in the 27-year-old on loan until the end of the season. Premier League strugglers Sheffield United are also in the running but it is thought that Forest are only interested in offloading the former Rangers loanee on a permanent basis.
Journalist James Nursery claimed this morning that both clubs launched a loan bid last night but were immediately rebuffed. It is claimed that the two-time European champions are holding out for £6 million.
Ben Godfrey
The Everton defender has fallen out of favour under the stewardship of Sean Dyche, with the ex-Burnley boss preferring a centre-back partnership of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite. Godfrey’s availability has attracted a number of potential suitors including Sheffield United, AC Milan, Genoa and Atletico Madrid.
Leeds have already had one loan move dismissed by the Toffees, although they could return to the fray by the end of the day.
Harry Souttar
It appears as if Leeds have an identical shortlist to Sheffield United, and it was reported yesterday that the Blades had approached Leicester City over the potential availability of the Australian international.
Having only joined the Foxes a year ago, the 25-year-old is another who has had limited time on the pitch, playing just 98 minutes of league football this season. Football Insider have reported this morning that Farke’s team have now entered the fray and are considering making a late swoop for the former Stoke City man.
Writer’s View
Leeds have dallied throughout the month leading to this desperate last-minute scramble to bring in a new centre-back. Whilst the names they are targeting will undoubtedly improve their defensive options, leaving it this late means that they now face stiff competition for all of their targets.
It is likely that the Whites will succeed in their bid to bring in additional cover, although they may need to widen their net if they are to land one of their primary targets. This is going to be a long day for Leeds fans.
Leeds haven’t dallied. They have been selective and not rushed into buying for buyings sake. Best you leave business models to people that know what they are doing rather than just come up with something purely for clickbait