The need for a centre-back at Leeds United has ramped up in the last few days and Daniel Farke’s side might have just been gifted pole position on a £10m Premier League player.
Pascal Struijk’s injury has forced Ethan Ampadu to drop into the middle of the defence. Struijk could be out until early February but further scans are expected this week and it might be he is out injured longer.
Max Wober meanwhile, is still struggling with his knee while James Debayo has managed just one senior outing. Josuha Guilavogui is seen more as a midfielder than he is a centre-back by the Leeds manager.
Leeds need to sign a centre-back before the end of the window then, and one player being linked with a move to Elland Road is one that has worked under Daniel Farke beforehand, in Andrew Omobamidele.
Leeds now on pole position to sign Andrew Omobamidele
Initial reports that said Leeds were looking to reunite Farke with Omobamidele at Elland Road said that both Leeds and Sheffield United wanted the £10m Nottingham Forest signing, but there is an update.
Farke handed his debut to Omobamidele at Norwich and actually, Omobamidele scored his first goal against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds. Graham Smyth actually expects Leeds to go back in for Omobamidele.
Now, the Sheffield Star say Sheffield United are eyeing a deal to sign Everton’s Michael Keane before the deadline. Chris Wilder’s side are pursuing other centre-backs, leaving Leeds a free run at Omobamidele.
What Daniel Farke has said about Andrew Omobamidele before
Having handed Omobamidele not only his Premier League debut but also his Carabao Cup debut, Farke and Omobamidele go way back from their time together at Norwich. Now, he’s struggling for game time.
Nuno Espirito Santo can hardly be blamed in not giving the Ireland star game time. Forest are on fire and Omobamidele is not even making the squad but Farke actually thinks Omobamidele is “outstanding”.
Leeds need a central defender and Farke bringing someone in that he knows well makes sense. Someone he can immediately trust and throw into the side if needed in the race to secure automatic promotion.
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