‘I’m told’… Journalist says Leeds could now move quickly to sign Premier League player on one condition

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Leeds United will need to start moving a bit quicker if they want to get some transfer business done this month.

There is now just 12 days to go until the window slams shut and Leeds are still yet to make their first foray into the market, despite there being a few positions which need strengthening.

Having lost both Djed Spence and Luke Ayling, it could be argued that right-back should currently be Leeds’ biggest priority and given the number of names who have been linked, it does appear that way.

Neco Williams is reportedly Leeds’ number one target but a deal is unlikely, while Ben Johnson, Calvin Ramsay and Connor Roberts have also been linked.

And according to journalist Ben Jacobs – who was speaking to Give Me Sport – Leeds could be about to move quickly on a deal for Johnson, if they can persuade West Ham to let him leave on loan for cheap.

Leeds could move ‘very fast’ on Johnson

He said: “Ben Johnson is the other one on the list. So one of those two is possible. And again, Ben Johnson hasn’t seen that many minutes. He’s out of contract in the summer. But Leeds are in favour, I’m told, of not waiting until the summer, they want to move now.

“They would take Ben Johnson on a loan. So it’s just about whether or not they can agree terms because West Ham would want a fee, even though the player’s contract is running down.

“So I think if Leeds could move for Johnson and get a low fee, or somehow persuade West Ham for no fee, then they would move very fast. But there’s a few negotiation points to get that one over the line.”

Johnson is out of contract at West Ham in the summer and has already rejected two new deals, though talks could get underway again in the coming weeks providing there is assurances on game time.

However, it has also been reported that West Ham would be willing to loan him out to Leeds, as long as a loan fee is paid.

This latest update from Jacobs, though, would suggest that the two clubs will need to come to some sort of compromise and if that does happen, then Leeds may just be able to bring him to Elland Road.