Leeds United are seemingly seeking to strengthen forward of the January switch window, with supervisor Jesse Marsch in want of additional recruits to assist in the bid to stave off the drop.
One space that the Whites could effectively look to deal with is at full-back, with 90min having reported earlier this month that sporting director Victor Orta has proven ‘interest’ in signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka from rivals Manchester United.
The 25-year-old – who made the transfer to Old Trafford on a £50m deal again in 2019 – is seemingly set to be allowed to depart within the New Year, with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United and the defender’s former membership, Crystal Palace, all named as potential suitors.
While pundit Jamie Carragher beforehand lauded the Englishman because the “best one-on-one defender for a full-back in the world” again in 2020, the previous Selhurst Park starlet has endured an actual fall from grace since then, with it maybe unwise for Orta and co to pursue a transfer.
The Croydon-born dud has been unable to nail down an everyday function within the facet for the Red Devils this season, having made simply two appearances in all competitions beneath Erik ten Hag to this point.
Although the right-back did register an assist on his return to the beginning lineup in opposition to Burnley final week, he has not often supplied a lot in an attacking sense lately, with solely two objectives and simply 11 assists to his identify in 128 video games in whole.
Those woes little doubt stem from the defender’s struggles in possession, with the £90k-per-week man having been branded “useless on the ball” by Paul Scholes final yr, as he ranks in simply the top 33% for go completion amongst these in his place in Europe, in addition to in solely the underside 10% for progressive passes.
Leeds will little doubt be cautious of poaching any extra seemingly undesirable figures from their foes on the Theatre of Dreams, with the Yorkshire facet having been stung by their current seize of Dan James.
The pacy Welshman – who had come close to transferring to Elland Road in January 2019 – was snapped up by Marcelo Bielsa on a £25m deal final summer season, albeit with that swap having subsequently failed to reveal fruit.
The 25-year-old scored four objectives and registered 5 assists in 37 video games in all competitions final time period, though struggled to actually warrant that hefty price ticket, having been on the receiving finish of stinging criticism from former Leeds defender, Ian Harte again in March:
“Let’s be sincere, if he didn’t have the tempo, he wouldn’t play within the Premier League. He doesn’t have the information or the know-how. It’s simply head down and run. He’s obtained unbelievable tempo, however like Adama Traore, he must study to sluggish his legs all the way down to get the cross in.
“The majority of games I’ve seen, they end up going over and across the crossbar. Signing him from United for £25m when they had him for four million – he’s done ok, he’s got raw pace but I’m not a massive fan.”
That verdict seems to have been shared by each Marsch and Orta, with James having subsequently been shipped off on loan to newly-promoted Fulham in the course of the current window – only a yr after becoming a member of his mother or father membership.
The choice to prise the previous Swansea City speedster from Manchester has seemingly already backfired for the membership, with these at Elland Road probably set to repeat their mistake in the event that they choose to show to Wan-Bissaka in 2023.
