Defender now free to join Leeds United as Championship club make major announcement

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The 49ers will want to avoid looking into the Championship next season, but a bargain could be waiting in the wings.

It’s been made clear that the owners only want to seek out the possibility of signing Premier League assets next season.

Whether they will achieve this is another story, but it seems like their primary target is signing these Premier League stars.

However, the Championship still offers up some exciting players, and target Gustavo Hamer proves that.

But it’s a player who has been on Leeds’ radar recently that has grabbed the attention, as an announcement has made this saga very interesting.

Leeds United target Kyle Walker-Peters set to leave on a free

With the exciting window set to provide many obstacles, the 49ers have been handed a player on a plate.

Kyle Walker-Peters has only just recently entered the Championship with Southampton following their dismal season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
20	SouthamptonSouthampton	38	2	6	30	26	86	-60	12

But the right-back was actually one of their only bright sparks and brings reason why Leeds want Walker-Peters this summer.

It’s been a case of whether the 28-year-old would sign a new contract at St. Mary’s, but now that has been put to bed.

The Premier League website has confirmed the Saints’ retained list for next campaign, and Walker-Peters doesn’t feature, therefore, Leeds can pounce on a freebie.

READ MORE: Fresh update emerges on the future of Tammy Abraham as Leeds United linger with £21.5m deal

How Walker-Peters and Leeds’ Jayden Bogle compare in Premier League

There is a very fair comparison that comes out of this deal potentially happening.

Both Walker-Peters and Jayden Bogle were part of teams that have both finished bottom in the last two seasons, with Sheffield United just eclipsing the Saints’ 12 points with 16.

With it being clear that both players struggled, it’s a stark contrast in terms of who performed better, and gives Daniel Farke some serious thinking time.

This isn’t to say Leeds’ current right-back will flop, as Bogle has arguably been the signing of the season.

But it might just be a warning to Bogle that if Walker-Peters arrives, he won’t be able to get anywhere near the performances he replicated in the 23/24 season.