24-year-old Leeds United wanted in January set to leave current club on a free, summer deal is a no brainer

Add as preferred source on Google

In hindsight, Leeds United may well be questioning whether they did enough in the January transfer window.

It always looked as though it would be a quiet month for Leeds after a busy summer, with Connor Roberts’ deadline day arrival from Burnley on loan the only signing that was made.

Other positions such as a creative attacker were looked at but not strengthened, though it is difficult to say exactly whether it would’ve made a difference with Leeds looking likely to fall short in the race for the top two.

Ipswich Town’s win over Coventry City last night means they are now all but certain to finish in second place ahead of Leeds. One of their four January arrivals in Kieffer Moore was on the scoresheet.

With that said, Leeds still have a chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking, with the play-offs set to get underway eight days after the final day of the regular season.

Daniel Farke could become the first manager in Leeds’ history to win the play-offs, but whatever happens, it will be a busy summer of change to the playing squad.

• READ MORE:

Leeds need to use free agent market this summer

If Leeds were to remain in the Championship, it would undoubtedly lead to the sale of a number of key players. Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville are just a couple who are already attracting interest.

The Whites have £190 million in unpaid transfer instalments hanging over them and they simply would not be able to offset that without significant money coming in.

But whether Leeds are promoted or not, the free agent market is somewhere they should be looking to strengthen the squad anyway.

There are always bargains to be had, such as Coventry City’s Callum O’Hare, for example, who could be an excellent addition on the cheap in that number 10 role.

Leeds need to resurrect interest in West Ham’s Ben Johnson

According to the Athletic, one of Leeds’ January right-back options Ben Johnson is another player who could be available on a free. The 24-year-old has rejected a number of contract offers at West Ham United and now looks set to leave in the summer.

Johnson has started just four Premier League matches all season, the last of which came in February. At this stage of his career, he needs regular game time.

It is said that Rangers have held talks ahead of a possible summer move for Johnson, while Crystal Palace and Leeds have also shown an interest. Tottenham have been linked too.

Given the right-backs those three clubs have in James Tavernier (Rangers), Daniel Munoz (Palace) and Pedro Porro (Spurs), minutes would be far easier to come by at Elland Road.

This deal should be an absolute no brainer for Leeds in the summer regardless of the league they are in. He would immediately be one of the Championship’s best right-backs, but also could be a versatile, rotation option in the Premier League.