£3m centre-back is the player Leeds United need to go for if Charlie Cresswell leaves

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Charlie Cresswell is one of a number of fringe players who have been linked with a Leeds United exit ahead of January.

Middlesbrough and Southampton are among the sides said to be keen on the 21-year-old, who has reportedly been told by Daniel Farke that he wants him to stay.

However, Cresswell has played just one minute of football since a Carabao Cup exit at Salford City all the way back in August, and at this stage of his career, he needs to be playing regularly.

Cresswell only signed a new deal at Elland Road back in the summer but if he was to leave – whether on loan or permanently – it would likely force Leeds into the market for a centre-back.

With Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk very much the first choice pairing, and Liam Cooper‘s experience in reserve, Leeds should be looking at a similar sort of age profile to Cresswell, and here is who we think they should go for.

Leeds scouting Adjei, he’d be ideal

Leeds are said to be among nine clubs in the hunt to sign Hammarby centre-back Nathaniel Adjei in January, who could be available for around £3 million.

Celtic, Rangers, as well as a host of Championship clubs including Sunderland and Coventry are reportedly interested in Adjei, with Hammarby’s sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg saying a sale is a possibility.

That sort of price tag is perfect for the calibre of player Leeds should be looking at, as it would not break the bank, and also allow room for a huge profit in the future.

Adjei is better on the ball than Cresswell, but is also far more athletic in terms of pace, which is becoming more and more important for central defenders.

If Leeds were to sell Cresswell, it is likely to be for more than what they would have to pay for Adjei, which would represent a very smart piece of business.