Despite reports, Leeds United surely won’t reignite interest in £16m man with 23-year-old close to return

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It won’t be too long until Daniel Farke is finally able to call on the services of Djed Spence at Leeds United.

Spence has played just 10 minutes in a white shirt so far following his season-long-loan switch from Tottenham Hotspur, after suffering knee ligament damage in training during September’s international break.

However, Farke confirmed in his pre-Leicester press conference on Wednesday that Spence is not far away from full team training, with a return later this month looking highly likely.

Providing he gets back to full fitness unscathed, Spence’s recovery will surely signal the end of any lingering interest Leeds may have in Nottingham Forest defender Neco Williams.

According to the Daily Telegraph this morning, Leeds were keen on signing Williams on loan in the summer. While no move materialised, it is now though he could be available in January.

Spence return surely signals end of Leeds’ Williams interest

Williams is a top full-back at this level having spent the second half of Fulham’s 2021/22 promotion season on loan there, but has struggled to really assert himself at Forest since his £16m permanent move from Liverpool.

Williams was actually signed as Spence’s replacement at Forest, after the 23-year-old opted for a move to Spurs over a return to the City Ground back in 2022.

Had he joined Leeds, Williams would’ve been the fourth full Wales international to be at Elland Road with Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Dan James all also here.

However, despite Williams’ apparent availability in January, it is impossible to see Leeds reigniting their interest in him if Spence gets into his stride.

With the likes of Luke Ayling, Archie Gray and Jamie Shackleton, Leeds have managed to get by in the absence of Spence at right-back, making the addition of another one a pointless move.

Williams is capable of playing at left-back, but Leeds already have a right footer playing there in Sam Byram. Junior Firpo is now also available for the first time this season.