Leeds United are set to be busy in January when it comes to signing full-backs after losing two this month already – and Daniel Farke has responded when asked about Luton left-back Ryan Giles.
Djed Spence has returned to Tottenham and is closing in on a loan move to Serie A side Genoa, which could be announced as early as Thursday evening. Luke Ayling has left to join Middlesbrough on loan.
While Spence and Ayling are not left-sided defenders, their exits mean they will need to be covered on the right. Jamie Shackleton plays on both sides, and Spence had been operating on the left at times.
Leeds not only need a right-back, but also a left-back this month – with Sam Byram and Junior Firpo both injury prone. But it came as a surprise when the name put to Farke was Luton’s £5m signing, Giles.
Hellas Verona’s Josh Doig is a target, while Neco Williams can play on the left – but Giles has not been mentioned as of yet. Adam Pope asked about Giles, and Farke responded – on the club’s YouTube.
Pope asked: “I was going to ask about Ryan Giles at Luton – someone you admire?” Farke replied: “Oh, no I don’t speak about players. It doesn’t help. We speak about players when business is done. That’s it.”
Daniel Farke responds when asked if he likes Luton’s Ryan Giles
Giles starred for Boro last season, laying on 12 assists in 48 games for the Teesside club. But since his move to Luton, he has started just five of Luton’s 19 Premier League games, unused on eight occasions.
There could be scope for Giles to leave Luton loan in January, if he is keen on a move and Luton are willing to let him go. But, Leeds have not been linked and there has been no sign of interest in Giles.
A bit of a weird one to hear Pope suggest Giles given he is not a name in the rumour mill. Perhaps, the BBC reporter knows something that many do not – and that Leeds are pursuing a move for the star.
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