Leeds United are claimed to be exploring a move to sign Bournemouth defender James Hill, who has entered the final year of his contract under Andoni Iraola.
Only 10 days remain in the summer transfer window and Daniel Farke made it clear during his pre-match press conference on Thursday that he wants two or three more signings.
His attacking contingent is the main focus, but Leeds could do with some defensive cover, mainly in the full-back spots.
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Leeds United now interested in signing James Hill from Bournemouth amidst contract dilemma
Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam revealed on Thursday that Leeds are now interested in signing Bournemouth defender James Hill this month.
The 23-year-old has been at the Cherries since 2022, enjoying two loan spells before featuring 10 times in the Premier League last season under Andoni Iraola.
(REUTERS/David Klein)
Leeds’ interest comes amidst the centre-back’s contract dwindling at the Vitality Stadium, currently in the final year and therefore could be someone the Cherries sell in order to avoid losing him for a free in less than a year.
Leeds United are interested in Bournemouth defender James Hill.
Hill has just one year left on his current deal & is admired by Daniel Farke.
The 23-year-old plays predominantly as a centre-back but can also cover at right-back.
Leeds are looking to sign a full-back.#LUFC
— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) August 21, 2025
As McAdam notes, Hill is admired by Leeds boss Farke and is typically seen as a centre-back, but has filled in at right-back under Iraola, suggesting he could be earmarked as the full-back cover Farke has insisted on this week.
Bournemouth’s willingness to broker a deal remains to be seen, after already overseeing a major overhaul in defence – losing Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, and Illia Zabarnyi for huge fees while bringing in Adrien Truffert and Bafode Diakite.
Is James Hill a worthwhile signing for Leeds United right now?
Hill would be able to cover right-back well enough for Leeds in our current battle to stay in the division, as we’d need, but would he be able to operate on the left to a likewise standard?
According to Transfermarkt, he’s only played at left-back once in his career, so it would be a big ask to rely on him as backup to Gabriel Gudmundsson, like we reasonably could ask from another target in James Justin.
The club have been savvy when it’s come to capitalising on market opportunities, especially this summer when looking to players with contracts expiring in a year or who are free agents, so Hill may be another that falls into this category.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!