A number of periphery players, including Charlie Cresswell, have been linked to leaving Leeds United before January.
The 21-year-old, who has apparently been informed by Daniel Farke that he wants to stay, is supposedly being pursued by a number of teams, including Middlesbrough and Southampton.
But since a Carabao Cup loss to Salford City back in August, Cresswell has only played one minute of football; at this point in his career, he ought to be playing frequently.
Leeds would probably have to look elsewhere for a center-back if Cresswell were to depart, either permanently or on loan. Cresswell only signed a new contract at Elland Road back in the summer.
Leeds should target players with a similar age profile to Cresswell, and here are the players we believe they should target: Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, who are very much the first choice partnership, and Liam Cooper, who has experience in reserve.
Adjei, scouted by Leeds, would be perfect.
Nine teams are reportedly vying for the signature of Hammarby center defender Nathaniel Adjei in January; he may fetch up to £3 million. Leeds is one of those teams. Adjei is apparently being pursued by Celtic, Rangers, and other Championship teams, including Sunderland and Coventry. Mikael Hjelmberg, the sporting director of Hammarby, has hinted that a sale may occur.
That kind of price tag would not break the bank and would give potential for a significant return down the road, making it ideal for the kind of player Leeds should be considering.
Adjei is faster and more athletic than Cresswell, which is a quality that central defenders are starting to value more than just superior ball handling skills. Leeds would be making a very wise economic decision if they were to sell Cresswell, and it is likely that the sale price would exceed what they would have to pay for Adjei.
