Leeds United’s pursuit of a new midfielder seems to have gone quiet since failing to agree a deal for FC Koln’s Dejan Ljubicic.
Leeds saw a £3.3 million offered turned down by the Bundesliga side for Ljubicic, and have since decided the asking price is too high.
Whether Leeds decide to revisit that later in the window remains to be seen, but at this stage, they will have to move onto other targets.
Having replaced both Glen Kamara and Archie Gray with just Joe Rothwell so far, Daniel Farke is keen on adding a more attack-minded number eight to his squad.
Ilia Gruev started the draw with Portsmouth in that role, but is more of a defensive midfielder and therefore unlikely to provide a quick fix to Leeds’ lack of goals from that area of the field.
- READ MORE: Norwich manager shares new update on Jonathan Rowe’s situation after interest from Leeds United
Leeds should move for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney
Speaking in his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Farke admitted he will also prioritise permanent signings over loans.
With Farke unable to guarantee regular minutes to any new players who walk through the door, he feels permanent additions are more likely to remain fully committed to the cause.
And so while someone like Liverpool’s Bobby Clark could be a temporary solution to Leeds‘ midfield dilemma, they would be better off looking at some of the cream of the crop in the Championship instead.
One player who certainly falls under that category, and could actually come up against Leeds for Middlesbrough tonight in the Carabao Cup, is Hayden Hackney.
Hackney is capable playing as both a defensive or box-to-box midfielder, but crucially, has that goal threat which is currently lacking in Farke’s squad.
His breakthrough Championship season at Boro in 2022/23 saw him score three goals and provide four assists in 32 starts.
Last season, he also showed his ability to arrive in the box late and find the net in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg win over Chelsea at the Riverside.
At 22, Hackney still has plenty of room to develop but would add plenty of Championship experience to the squad, having become a key player over the last two years at Boro.
According to transfermarkt, Hackney actually shares the same representatives as Sunderland and former Leeds winger Jack Clarke, another player who would be a great signing.
- READ MORE: Ligue 1 club have just submitted a bid for defender who Leeds are keen to sign this summer
Charlie Crew could sent statement to Farke for Leeds
The longer Leeds leave it to strengthen, the more chance they do not actually get the three players they want to sign.
If that scenario was to happen and midfield was the position they failed to address, it could open the door for youngster Charlie Crew.
Crew is still yet to make his first team debut for Leeds but has been on the bench a few times, and did enjoy a promising pre-season.
The 18-year-old will hopefully get a chance to show what he can do against Boro tonight, with Hackney potentially a direct rival of his.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
