Leeds United are looking for defensive reinforcements this summer and are set to battle it out with three Championship clubs for the signature of a Premier League centre-back.
The Whites will now endure another season of gruelling second-tier football, having missed out on promotion to the top flight following a 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the final at Wembley on Sunday. This was the side’s third consecutive defeat to the Saints this season.
The aftermath of the result could have severe consequences on the club’s ability to splash the cash during the summer transfer window. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has stated that Leeds have £190 million in outstanding credit from player purchases, £73 million of which must be paid by the end of June, meaning Daniel Farke’s men will have to start selling before buying.
Furthermore, failing to earn promotion means that several players likely won’t be at Elland Road next season. Central defender Joe Rodon had a tremendous campaign in West Yorkshire whilst on loan from Tottenham Hotspur but the latter are looking for between £10-15 million for his permanent signature which means that Sunday’s loss to Southampton may have been his final game for the club.
As a result, Leeds United will need to be smarter in the transfer market, signing players with great potential for relatively low fees. According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the board have targeted Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist, who could be a solid replacement for Rodon.
Jacobs is claiming that the Whites will be joined in the race for the Premier League centre-back’s signature by Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End, while Millwall have previously been linked with the 20-year-old, who boasts a market value of £4.2 million, as per Transfermarkt. Nonetheless, any transfer will only be in the form of a loan deal.
