Leeds United are close to completing their sixth permanent sale this summer in the form of Glen Kamara, but the replacement identified could be The 49ers’ best move so far if signed.
It is a blow to lose Kamara. The 28-year-old is only one of a handful of Leeds players that offer any solid experience in Daniel Farke’s squad, with the majority of Leeds players under the age of 25 at Elland Road.
Kamara has a huge 59 caps for his country, has played more than 300 club appearances and even reached the Europa League final. But French side Rennes are set to sign the Leeds midfielder for a fee of £8.5m.
Kamara’s exit is not only a blow in terms of losing his quality and experience, but there is an utter lack of depth in the middle of the park. Ethan Ampadu finished the season in defence, and Archie Gray has gone.
Leeds United have identified their replacement for Glen Kamara
Leeds are left with just Ilia Gruev, Joe Rothwell who has joined the club on loan from Bournemouth and rookie Charlie Crew. The one-time Wales star is highly rated, but yet to make his senior Leeds debut.
Leeds need a big-name midfielder, one that can go alongside Gruev or even replace the Bulgarian in the middle of the park and play with a more attacking option like Rothwell, Crew or a another new signing.
The Whites are said to be interested in Oliver Skipp, identified by The 49ers and Farke as a replacement for Kamara. Described as “outstanding”, Skipp was part of talks between Leeds and Tottenham earlier.
Leeds have already tried to sign Oliver Skipp this summer
The Whites tried to bring in Skipp as part of a deal for Archie Gray. Tottenham rejected it, but that has not deterred Leeds with Farke keen to reunite with Skipp after his role in his second Norwich promotion.
Once deemed a future captain of Tottenham by Jose Mourinho, Skipp is a wonderful player. A Premier League-standard midfielder with incredible stamina, passing and more recently, the odd long-range goal.
Bringing Skipp in at Elland Road would be a game-changer. If Kamara does go which looks likely, and Leeds replace him with Skipp – a player five years Kamara’s junior – then it is The 49ers’ best move yet.
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