Leeds United’s search for a centre-back may depend on the future of Charlie Cresswell.
Cresswell has been linked with a move to a host of Championship clubs this month having reportedly grown ‘unhappy’ at a lack of game time at Elland Road this season.
The 21-year-old’s Dad Richard expressed publicly his disappointment at the lack of game time this season, though Daniel Farke has said he will not be involved until he improves his attitude.
With that in mind, it would not be a surprise to see him before the end of the window, and that would give Leeds a decision to make as to whether to bring in a new central defender.
Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham has been mentioned as a potential target and journalist Ben Jacobs has gone a step further with that, by telling Give Me Sport that he is a player Leeds ‘really like’.
Leeds huge admirers of Bournemouth’s Mepham
He said: “They really like Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham. Burnley’s Connor Roberts has been mentioned as well. Vincent Kompany is happy to let him go since he hasn’t started since October.”
Mepham has struggled for game time at Bournemouth this season and admitted after last weekend’s FA Cup win at QPR that he could be open to a move in search of minutes.
However, even if Cresswell does leave, it has to be said that Leeds have much bigger priorities in the market elsewhere. Both full-back positions, as well as a creative midfielder, are needed first.
Given Cresswell’s lack of game time, anyone who is brought in is unlikely to feature much anyway, with Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon very much the first choice partnership under Farke.
Liam Cooper is also well thought of by Farke, while Ethan Ampadu is capable of dropping in there when needed. Leeds may well like Mepham, but it feels unlikely that it is some who will be pursued.
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