One of Leeds United’s top January targets could actually be available for nothing this summer.
Leeds brought in just one new player during the January window as their pursuit of a new right-back eventually led them to signing Connor Roberts on loan from Burnley.
After Leeds’ play-off final defeat to Southampton, Daniel Farke may regret not being slightly more active during the winter, but this transfer window is certainly expected to be busier.
Leeds will need to ensure they have fully paid off the £73 million owed in unpaid transfer instalments before they conduct any sort of incoming business, but the sales of both Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra to Bournemouth within the current financial year, means they are already halfway there.
In the meantime, Leeds’ recruitment team will not be able to take their foot off the gas and a key market opportunity may just be about to emerge.
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January Leeds target Paul Dummett to be available for free this summer
As mentioned, Leeds may be living to regret only bringing in one new face during the January transfer window after missing out on promotion to Ipswich Town and Southampton.
The two sides both strengthened more than Leeds in the winter, with the one addition of Roberts ultimately not enough for Leeds to last the pace. He also looks set for a return to Turf Moor.
This summer appears as though it is going to be considerably busy, though, and the free agent market could certainly give them a helping hand, with plenty of quality available.
And one player Leeds looked at who will be on the market for nothing next month is Paul Dummett, who won’t be offered an extension by Newcastle United after 23 years as a youth and senior player.
Dummett was one of the defenders Leeds looked at but did not sign late on in January, as they looked to fill the void left by the injured Pascal Struijk, who missed the last five months of the season.
The 32-year-old made 213 appearances during his time at the Magpies, 151 of which came in the Premier League.
Leeds should stay clear of Dummett this summer
Experience will certainly need adding to Leeds’ squad this summer, with Daniel Farke having often mentioned how he had one of the youngest group of players in the division.
Leeds will lose both Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas at the end of their contracts next month, while the future of Sam Byram is uncertain too. Patrick Bamford could also be sold.
While clearly Dummett would bring a wealth of experience to Leeds, he is someone they should stay clear of based on his injury record and lack of game time in recent years.
Dummett has played just 483 minutes of first team football over the course of the last three seasons, and would clearly take some time to get up to match fitness.
Unlike last season, Leeds need to hit the ground running when the start of the campaign rolls around and Dummett simply will not be able to do that.
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