Leeds United performed major surgery on their midfield last summer with three new players arriving in Daniel Farke’s first window, but one player chose to ignore the lure of Elland Road.
With Marc Roca, Tyler Adams, Adam Forshaw and Weston McKennie all leaving Leeds for a reason or another after relegation, Leeds were forced to bring in three new faces like Glen Kamara from Rangers.
Another, was Ilia Gruev from Werder Bremen in Germany and while Ethan Ampadu has sparkled of late at centre-back, he was identified as a midfielder signing when Daniel Farke brought him to Leeds in 2023.
Archie Gray was promoted into the senior team from the academy and the rest is history. But one player Leeds tried to get over the line was one Farke has previously labelled “irreplaceable”, in Kenny McLean.
Fast forward a year, and Leeds need more midfielders
Even if Leeds keep the likes of Gray and Gruev who have attracted interest already this summer, Leeds still require another in the middle of the park. Gray has been playing in defence, with £7m man Ampadu.
For much of the second half of the season, it left Leeds with just Gruev and Kamara as options in midfield. Leeds need another body and revisiting a move for 33-year-old McLean would certainly not go amiss.
While entering the latter stages of his career, Norwich’s Player of the Season provides something Leeds really lack. That bit of experience, something Daniel Farke said when saying his squad lacks a Sam Morsy.
Rangers want to sign Scotland star McLean but Leeds must move
McLean signed a new contract at Norwich after Leeds tabled a £4m bid, which he chose to reject in order to remain loyal with the Canaries. Farke obviously worked with McLean before while Norwich manager.
This time, McLean may feel he needs a move after another frustrating season at Norwich which came to an end when Leeds knocked them out of the Championship play-offs, winning 4-0 at Elland Road.
The Daily Record say Rangers are keen to lure McLean back north of the border. But if it comes to it and McLean shows he is ready to exit Norwich, Leeds must rival Norwich for his signature this summer.
The need for another midfielder, Farke being well aware that Leeds lack the experience of an elder player with huge Championship experience like Morsy or McLean, and that Leeds have previously wanted him.
All reasons for Leeds to re-enter the market to sign McLean from Norwich, and pip Rangers to his signing.
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