Leeds United want to sign 26-year-old international and he’s already admitted he’s open to leaving

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Leeds United may look to sign another centre-back this month if Charlie Cresswell departs.

Cresswell has played just one minute of football since August and his lack of game time has prompted both loan and permanent interest from a plethora of clubs in the Championship, with the 21-year-old said to be unhappy.

Daniel Farke had made it clear he would not let Cresswell leave this month but did appear to soften his stance after the win over Birmingham City last week. Cresswell’s father Richard also publicly shared his discontent at his lack of game time, before he was completely left out of the FA Cup squad at Peterborough.

With all that said it would not be a surprise if he moved on before the end of the window, but that would require a replacement. Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham is someone who has been linked in the last 24 hours.

Before being hooked at the break, Mepham was handed just his fifth start of the season across all competitions in Bournemouth’s FA Cup win at QPR on Saturday, and speaking to the Daily Echo after the game, he addressed his future.

Mepham would be open to Bournemouth exit

He said: “Naturally you are more patient when the team is doing well. You appreciate a manager will not look to rotate a winning team, and why would he?

“At the same time it’s important to push and ask the questions as it shows you care and as a professional athlete you train all week to play on the weekend. If that’s not happening, questions will be asked and there are conversations to be had.

“I wouldn’t say OK [on being out of the team]. You never want to really settle for being just a squad player that can come in once every now and then.

“I certainly value myself as being better than that. It wouldn’t be in my character to be content with that.”

“Naturally you have to [think about leaving]. I have been at the club a long time. I am probably – in football terms – coming to the peak of a career now at 26.

“The next couple of years are important for me. I’ll hopefully have the Euros in the summer. It’s important to play week-in-week-out. If you are not getting the game time you want and need to you have to be open to all options.”

Mepham would be a decent addition at this level with almost 100 Championship appearances under his belt already, but at the same time, minutes could also be an issue at Elland Road.

Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk are very much Farke’s first choice centre-back pairing this season, and it would be very difficult for any incoming player to dislodge that.

That said, reuniting with Wales international teammates Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and Dan James could persuade him to make the move. Burnley’s Connor Roberts – another Welsh international – has also been linked with Leeds and would be open to a deal.