Leeds United will be in the market for a new left-back again this summer, following relegation to the Championship and incoming boss Daniel Farke has got to consider a reunion with out-of-favour Newcastle defender Jamal Lewis.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay reports Farke should be confirmed as Leeds boss on Tuesday, ahead of a return to the grass for pre-season training on Wednesday at Thorp Arch. He will be faced with plenty to do in the transfer window.
One of those issues will be sorting out the left-back area. Junior Firpo is expected to be one of a number of players to leave Leeds this summer, with a return to Spain on the cards. Estadio Deportivo say Betis have made an enquiry.
The left-back area has been an issue for Leeds for a number of years. Ever since, Charlie Taylor left for Burnley. Barry Douglas struggled, coming in in 2018. He failed to replicate the form he had previously shone while at Wolves.
Gjanni Alioski’s form was largely up and down, often playing on the wing instead. Stuart Dallas can play there, but has of course been injured since April 2022. Firpo’s Leeds form has been largely poor, after joining from Barcelona.
Farke should consider reunion at Leeds with Newcastle defender Lewis
So, Leeds need a left-back. The left-back that played for the majority of Farke’s four-year spell at Norwich is Lewis. He clocked up all 100 of his Norwich outings under Farke, given his debut by the German before joining Newcastle.
Dallas’ Northern Ireland teammate has struggled on Tyneside, injuries hampering his £15m move. He finds himself way down the pecking order and in need of a move, behind the likes of Matty Targett and Dan Burn on the left flank.
It surely makes sense, then, for Farke to form a reunion with Lewis at Elland Road in an attempt to end our left-back woes. While he was bought for £15m, he will surely be allowed to leave Eddie Howe’s side largely, on the cheap.
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