In an attempt to push the West Yorkshire giants to the next level in January and extend their present fight for the automatic promotion spots that appear just a little bit out of reach, Leeds United will actively add pieces to their squad here and there.
Though Leicester City and Ipswich Town are now leading the way, there are still plenty of surprises in store for the Championship before its conclusion, and Daniel Farke’s team is still very much in the running for the top two.
If reports about this Premier League defender are true, Farke may try to add him to his Whites roster this month. The player is keen to join fellow countryman and former teammate Joe Rodon in his new squad.
Most recent Leeds transfer: Connor Roberts
Leeds has expressed interest in signing Burnley full-back Connor Roberts, according to Darren Witcoop, a football journalist. Luke Ayling, a mainstay at Leeds, may leave the team as a result of this move.
According to Witcoop, Ayling could attract interest from Middlesbrough. The Championship promotion contenders are OK with the 32-year-old defender moving to Riverside Stadium, provided Roberts does the same and moves to Elland Road.
Roberts would be a welcome addition in January, giving Leeds another option down the right side in light of the recent termination of Djed Spence’s loan and the injury status of other alternatives.
Reuniting the 28-year-old with players like Rodon, Joel Piroe, and Dan James would also be a prudent financial decision. The quartet played together at Swansea City during Steve Cooper’s leadership, and Farke, the Welsh club, wants to bring the group back together.
The playing style of Connor Roberts Roberts would provide Leeds a steady presence at the back by quietly letting his team progress from right-back rather than charging forward at every chance.
The Welshman’s primary asset is his inventiveness when he plays defense. During his illustrious tenure with the Swans, he has racked up an astounding 15 assists across all competitions, with 14 of those coming in the crucial Championship action.
During this phase of his career, when Swansea would frequently push for the second division playoffs, the seasoned 28-year-old played frequently with Leeds loanee Joe Rodon. Both players were essential to the defensively sound teams that Cooper put together.
Cooper frequently expressed his admiration for his countryman in public, and following Swansea’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City on the road in 2021, the former Nottingham Forest manager went above and beyond to wax poetic about Roberts.
Roberts scored a goal on the day, and his then-boss gave him a lot of credit after the game, praising his offensive abilities that “caught the eye” and his usually “excellent” defense.
Roberts’ “boundless energy” has been praised by Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic. Farke would also be able to play Archie Gray in a more comfortable midfield position if necessary, and the 17-year-old would occasionally be given time to rest after recently cementing his place in the starting lineup at right-back.
If a deal could be completed, the £30,000-a-week player would be eager to rejoin Rodon, creating a powerful backfield partnership that would help their new team, Leeds, win more important games in the intense promotion fight.
After winning the Championship title with Burnley just the previous season, Roberts will also be hoping to impart his newly acquired promotion-winning knowledge to his new teammates in West Yorkshire.
