New £10m Elland Road target scored his first career goal against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United in 2021

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Leeds United are in the market for a new central defender after Pascal Struijk’s absence on Saturday was felt, with Daniel Farke’s men conceding three goals against Hull City.

Despite goals from Ao Tanaka, Dan James and Joel Piroe, Leeds could not keep Hull at bay and while Illan Meslier was largely to blame for all three, the Leeds defence hardly helped the Frenchman in front of him.

Struijk was missing with an ankle issue, and it saw Ethan Ampadu drop into the middle while Max Wober moved to left-back. There was already a lack of depth at centre-back and Saturday’s display proved it.

Leeds are being linked with two centre-backs that have previously played under Daniel Farke. One is Switzerland star Nico Elvedi, while the other is Nottingham Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele.

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Andrew Omibamidele scored first pro goal against Leeds United

Rewind three and a bit years to October 2021. Farke and Marcelo Bielsa would not have known at that point, but both managers were closing in on the sack at Norwich City and Leeds, Bielsa slightly later.

But the two sides met at Carrow Road as Farke shared a dugout with Bielsa as Leeds secured a 2-1 away win over Farke’s Canaries. Raphinha gave Leeds the lead, cutting inside Omobamidele before scoring.

Two minutes later, in a flurry of goals, Omobamidele equalised. A gorgeous header that kissed the bar before it went in as the Ireland international outjumped Stuart Dallas and Diego Llorente to score.

Another two minutes passed before Rodrigo scored the winner, lashing a 25-yard effort past Tim Krul who should have done better. Omobamidele has scored three goals, and the first came against Leeds.

Leeds face competition from a direct rival for Omobamidele

Leeds are not alone in the race to sign the 10-time Ireland star. Indeed, Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United are also keen to sign Omobamidele though The Star say the Blades are focusing on attacking additions first.

Sheffield United will be in the market for a new central defender however, after losing on-loan Leicester defender John Souttar for the rest of the season due to an achilles injury that will keep him out for a year.

But, Leeds are said to be willing to offer a loan with an obligatory £10m fee to Forest while The Blades simply want the Ireland defender on loan. With Forest looking to bring in some cash, Leeds are on pole.