Leeds United are in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer and have recently been linked with a move for a player in the Premier League, according to reports.
The Whites kick-started the new campaign early on Saturday afternoon with a disappointing 3-3 draw with newly-promoted Portsmouth at Elland Road. Despite taking the lead from the penalty spot in the opening ten minutes, Daniel Farke’s men found themselves a goal down on two separate occasions.
It took a 95th-minute equaliser from Brenden Aaronson to rescue a point for the West Yorkshire outfit but Farke’s side flattered to deceive throughout the game, especially defensively. Leeds conceded three goals from an xG of merely 0.94, as per FotMob.
The Championship title-favourites lost several central defenders throughout the summer transfer window so far, including captain Liam Cooper as well as Charlie Cresswell, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch, although the club still have the option to bring Cooper back as he has remained a free agent.
Nevertheless, another name that has been linked with a move to Leeds United over the past few days is Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys, who spent all of last season on loan at Swansea City in England’s second tier, making 24 league appearances in what was a difficult campaign for the Swans.
Leeds’ interest in the 21-year-old was reported in the print edition of the Mail on Sunday, via MOT Leeds News. The article states that the Whites have made an offer to the West London side to sign Humphreys but it is unclear whether this would be on loan or on a permanent basis. Fabrizio Romano chimed in, stating that Chelsea are looking for a sale “as it stands”. Additionally, it is believed that fellow Championship promotion-hopefuls Burnley have recorded an interest in the centre-half.
Speaking to Football League World in a recent interview, former Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday star Carlton Palmer weighed in on this rumour and believes that it would be an excellent acquisition by his old club [quotes via MOT Leeds News]:
“He’s a million miles from getting in the Chelsea first-team, so it’s the best solution for both the club and the player.
“I think it would be a very very good signing, he had a superb season at Swansea, so this would be a good addition to the squad.
“Leeds have sold a lot of players and brought in a lot of money, so they can bring in one or two players before the transfer window closes and they would prefer to bring in younger players rather than experienced ones. This would be a very good signing for Leeds.”
Writer’s View
The problem that Humphreys will have is whether or not he can manage to get many minutes at Leeds United. The club have already re-signed Joe Rodon permanently as part of the Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur deal and Farke’s first-choice partnership at the back will undoubtedly be the Welshman and Pascal Struijk.
However, Humphreys may start a few games should one of them get injured but for his development, it seems more logical to get a move to a team in the Championship, on the same level as Swansea, where he will be one of the first names on the teamsheet. He simply won’t achieve this at Leeds.
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