Leeds United have been linked with a move to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney this summer, but it’s not a deal that makes much sense.
The Whites have a lot of work to do still to get ourselves clear of the relegation scrap in the Premier League. Our situation, though, is looking promising with 12 games left to play and a six-point gap to the bottom three.
As a result, there’s always going to be transfer links for the summer ahead. Alan Nixon has reported that Leeds are keeping tabs on Middlesbrough’s star midfielder Hayden Hackney with a view to potentially signing him in the summer window.
Hackney is proving to be one of the best players outside of the Premier League in Kim Hellberg’s title-chasing ‘Boro side. But, there’s issues with this transfer link. The first being Hackney looks likely to be a Premier League player by the time Leeds could make a move.
Also, are Leeds eyeing a technically-gifted midfielder that could physically get found out against the ball in the Premier League? We’ve already got one who’s fallen out of favour in Ao Tanaka.
Also, in Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu, Leeds have nailed two out of our three midfield slots while Brenden Aaronson takes the other in a differing role to what Hackney would offer.
Here, I look at three EFL stars that Leeds are much more likely to pursue this summer, in my opinion…
Abdul Fatawu – Leicester City
If Farke remains at the helm in the summer, then there’s going to be a focus on adding a right-winger, I’d anticipate. He wanted one in the summer, sort of got one in January, but will want one again in when this summer arrives as Facundo Buonanotte returns to Brighton.
Leicester City’s absolutely bleak situation is one we ought to capitalise on. Their only shining light at the moment is right-winger Abdul Fatawu, who continues to showcase his quality as the best wide man in the EFL despite the Foxes’ totally abject form.
In spite of Leicester being in the relegation zone, Fatawu is on eight goals and seven assists already, consistently adding to his catalogue of outrageous goals.
Leicester will be keen to relieve the stress on their accounts this summer, irrespective of relegation or survival, and Fatawu could be the first to go.
Carl Rushworth – Coventry City (on loan from Brighton)
At the other end of the pitch, Leeds are surely going to be looking at a new goalkeeper in the summer. Lucas Perri’s heroics in the FA Cup came after a long season so far, with Karl Darlow replacing him as first choice in the Premier League.
There are a few impressive stoppers in the second tier. Stoke City’s Viktor Johansson is a standout, but his long-term injury represents a red flag, so I’d fancy Coventry City’s Carl Rushworth.
On loan from Brighton, the Halifax-born ‘keeper has been remarkable this season after steadily gaining vital experience in the second tier.
At 24, Rushworth looks like the best current No1 in the Championship not only for his strong shot-stopping figures, but also for the fact he’s incredibly adept with the ball at his feet.
Brighton will surely command a big fee if they are willing to let him leave in 2026. But, Leeds would be getting a very talented stopper in the process.
Jovon Makama – Norwich City
Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks the nailed-on starter for Leeds for the foreseeable, should we stay in the division.
Therefore, it could be viable for Leeds to pursue a youthful striker signing to learn from the England international. And, Norwich City’s Jovon Makama might be that man.
Annoyingly ruled out for the rest of the season through a broken foot, Makama’s momentum looked to have him soaring to the top end of the goalscoring charts.
At 22, he’s enjoyed his first season at Championship level hitting double figures for goals in what’s largely been a very poor Canaries side.
Importantly, he fits the physical profile for Leeds standing at 6ft5in and could develop into a serious top flight striker as a result.
Read more: Leeds United send scout to Premier League rivals during FA Cup tie.
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