Leeds United’s promotion rivals Burnley are claimed to be in the hunt for Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner, having been a previous target of the Whites in the Premier League.
January is fast approaching for Leeds and the rest of the Championship, meaning that plans for potential incomings are sure to be formulating behind-the-scenes.
The automatic promotion race is much tighter than last season’s at this stage, and it leaves the door open for any club who has a good window to steal a march on their rivals.
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Burnley and Coventry City plotting Kai Wagner swoop
Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has now reported that Burnley and Coventry City are eyeing a January move for left-back Kai Wagner.
The German is currently residing in the MLS with Brenden Aaronson’s former club Philadelphia Union, where he has a goal and 12 assists from full-back in 2024.
https://twitter.com/Plettigoal/status/1863704765030351116
As Plettenberg reports, Wagner holds a €2million (£1.66m) release clause this winter, and the Clarets are one of multiple alerted to his availability, as well as Atalanta, Parma and others across Europe.
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Wagner was a former target of Jesse Marsch’s at Leeds
That name should be a somewhat familiar one for Leeds fans, having been strongly linked with a move to sign Wagner back in the January 2023 window.
While Jesse Marsch was still at the club, Leeds looked to bring in defensive recruitments to bolster their chances of staying in the Premier League, which included interest in Wagner.
Leeds made three signings that month, bringing in Max Wöber, Weston McKennie and Georginio Rutter, turning their back on Wagner.
Wagner a solid attacking left-back for a Championship club
Burnley are looking a very strong defensive unit as things stand, and adding a left-back to their ranks might not be revolutionary, but a boost nonetheless.
What this does underline for Leeds is that there are plenty of clubs around us in the promotion race are going to be looking to strengthen.
Farke has strongly suggested Leeds are in for a quiet window, but that might have to change if others start making moves soon.