Leeds United and Burnley are hoping to consolidate their positions in the Premier League after gaining promotion from the Championship.
The 49ers will be keen to give Daniel Farke the best Leeds United team possible to compete in the Premier League and make a good fist of promotion.
The transfer dominoes will soon fall into place and we have seen movement on that front already elsewhere, although Leeds are yet to announce their released and retained list.
That should be forthcoming soon, but recruitment discussions are ongoing all the time to ensure the hierarchy and Farke are aligned and giving the club the best possible chance of consolidating their status in the top flight.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
CJ Egan-Riley’s Strasbourg move could pave the way for Andrew Omobamidele to join Leeds United
The Whites will also be keeping a close eye on what other sides in the Premier League are up to, including the team who matched Leeds for 100 points in Burnley.
The Clarets had a staggeringly impressive defensive record this season. In large part, that was down to the form of James Trafford but both CJ Egan-Riley and Maxime Esteve were also named in the Championship Team of the Season.
However, Egan-Riley is now set to move from the Clarets to join Liam Rosenior at RC Strasbourg — per talkSPORT’s Alex Crook. They are one of the youngest teams by average age in Europe and the 22-year-old could be freeing up room for a long-term target of Leeds to sign this summer.
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One of the young defenders they have in on loan is Nottingham Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele. The Irishman could sign permanently for Strasbourg, but it appears less likely with Egan-Riley set to join on a five-year contract.
It’s previously been posited that Omobamidele could replace Pascal Struijk or be deputy to both the Dutchman and Joe Rodon next term. Fairly recent reports have revealed that Leeds United want to sign Omobamidele again this summer after a move failed to materialise in January.
The Whites want to raid Nottingham Forest, with the Strasbourg loan man once again facing an uncertain future. Extra depth is required at centre-back, given Struijk and Max Wober’s mixed availability and with Ethan Ampadu moved out of a more familiar and better-suited midfield role to deputise in their absence.
Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
The other centre-back options for Leeds to target
In a transfer battle with Sheffield United, Leeds are supposedly ‘more interested’ in signing Omobamidele. His age and lack of top flight experience is somewhat of a concern, however, despite him being a long-term target.
Leeds ought to be looking for starting players this summer, with the ability to displace current players and hold their own in the Premier League. There is little point to using the budget up on squad players over acquiring players who can be first-team regulars instantly.
It’s why our suggestion for Leeds is Jaka Bijol of Udinese. He is a peak-age player who is oven-ready and should hit the ground running. Despite the fact Omobamidele has potential and looks a near-certainty to be available, Leeds don’t need that.
The blueprint has to be new signings who will drastically improve the team, raising the ceiling level in the process. All while dropping a current starter to the bench in order to improve the floor of the squad.