Leeds United are set to battle it out with next season’s potential promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion for a centre-back who recently earned promotion to one of Europe’s top-five leagues, according to the latest reports.
The Whites will have to be more astute with their transfer business this summer after failing to earn a promotion back to the Premier League following a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the play-off final two weeks ago. Parachute payments are reduced in a side’s second season after relegation which will leave the board with far less to play with than they had 12 months ago.
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Furthermore, Leeds currently owe £190 million in outstanding credit from player purchases and £73 million of this colossal figure is due at the end of the month. Energy drink brand Red Bull bought a minority stake in the club last week which will certainly offer a welcome boost of cash but the hierarchy may still need to sign players for relatively low fees this summer as they look to offload a number of high earners in the squad.
One player linked with a move to Leeds United is St. Pauli centre-half Eric Smith. Swedish outlet Aftonbladet are reporting that the Whites have been impressed with the defender’s performances in the German second division this season as St. Pauli lifted the 2. Bundesliga crown, earning promotion to the top-flight. Furthermore, the outlet are claiming that Leeds face stiff competition from West Bromwich Albion for the 27-year-old’s signature.
Smith’s contract runs out next summer so any suitors will need to provide a transfer fee to the Kiezkicker with the Swede currently boasting a market value of £3 million, as per Transfermarkt.
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Writer’s View
Smith is a player who is more than capable of playing in the Championship with Leeds United this summer and could be someone that the club can sign for a relatively low fee. However, he would be filling massive shoes after Joe Rodon’s departure.
With the Welsh defender returning to Tottenham Hotspur from his season-long loan spell following the play-off final defeat at Wembley, the Whites won’t be able to sign him on a permanent basis due to the money Spurs are asking for him. Perhaps Smith could be the new Rodon, although West Brom could offer tough competition for the centre-back this summer.