‘I know’… Club director says Leeds United are not in talks to sign £3m defender

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Leeds United’s decision to buy a centre-back this month may just rely on the future of Charlie Cresswell.

Cresswell has played just one minute of football since August with Daniel Farke seeing him as fourth-choice centre-back at Elland Road, behind Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper.

However, Farke hinted earlier this week that if Cresswell is keen to leave then an exit could be on the cards, and it is fair to say there isn’t a shortage of interest.

Should Cresswell depart, though, it would leave Leeds in need of a new centre-back and one name who has been linked is Hammarby’s Nathaniel Adjei, with the Whites among several clubs reportedly keen.

There were reports on Tuesday that Leeds were set to hold a meeting with Hammarby over a deal for Adjei this week, though in an interview with Fotbollskanalen, the club’s sporting director Mikael Hjelmberg has denied it.

Leeds not having meeting over Adjei deal

He said: “We do not have a meeting with Leeds booked. It has been concrete before and we have dismissed that. I have met his agent and discussed with him. I know there is interest in Adjei. But there has been nothing concrete after that meeting. There are no scheduled meetings or anything concrete.”

Later on in the interview, Hjelmberg also suggested that the Swedish side want Adjei to stay this month, despite a valuation of around £3 million having been mentioned.

Adjei would be a really good signing for Leeds if they were having to replace Cresswell, given he is the same age, is valued at a similar amount, and also has good potential.

That said, Leeds cannot afford to waste too much time on a player whose club does not want to let him go, and there are plenty of alternatives out there, even if it is on loan.

Nottingham Forest look set to allow Andrew Omabamidele to leave this month due to his lack of game time, and he would also be a really good alternative.