Neco Williams is a target for Leeds United as The 49ers look to bring in a defender or two before the January deadline – but Dean Jones says the Wales star is not the only player Leeds are considering.
The Whites have lost Djed Spence and Luke Ayling this month, and it comes after Daniel Farke admitted he was thinking about bringing in a left-back. Leeds are lacking in cover on both sides of the defence.
On the right, a midfielder in Archie Gray and Jamie Shackleton – who has often been injured this season. On the left, two injury-prone players in Sam Byram and Junior Firpo. It might be that we need just one.
But one that can play on both sides. Nottingham Forest’s Williams is that kind of player, playing on the right for his club – but on the left for his country. The £16m has been linked with Leeds for a while now.
Speaking to Give Me Sport this week, transfer expert Jones says Forest were not planning to cash in on the Wales star but given their breach of Financial Fairplay rules – that may change. He’s one on a list.
“This one is going to be a really difficult one to do. Forest have complications of their own to deal with at the moment, so that might help Leeds. But the plan for Forest was not to get rid of Williams this month.
“It’s interesting that Leeds are exploring it, but Leeds have got feelers out on four or five players like this. It was probably more in hope than expectation that they could actually get a deal done for Williams.”
Leeds have feelers out for four or five players like Neco Williams
Williams would obviously be a magnificent signing – he played for Forest in the FA Cup on Wednesday night. He’s a Premier League player and has impressed in the top tier. But he needs to join the right club.
Leeds might be that, at least making Williams feel more at home given he would be playing alongside a number of his Wales mates in Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Dan James. But it’s an ambitious deal.
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