Leeds United return to Championship action on Saturday, welcoming 16th place Swansea City to Elland Road.
On paper, this one should be a walk in the park for Leeds United, who sit a staggering 36 points ahead of Swansea City, who’ve just named former Whites midfielder Alan Sheehan as manager until the summer.
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Sheehan was full of praise for Leeds United and their individual quality, suggesting that it’s no surprise Leeds are where they are in the Championship table.
Sheffield United are level on points in 2nd though, whist Burnley in 3rd are only two points behind, so Leeds really need to put Swansea away if they’re to avoid an immediate wobble coming out of this March international break.
And a win on Saturday would put Leeds one step closer to promotion and towards what would likely be an expensive summer spending spree, with Daniel Farke surely of the knowledge that his current side are no way near Premier League ready.
- READ MORE: Daniel Farke says Leeds United need one thing and ‘100% we will go up’ – fans won’t like it one bit
Leeds United could complete £16m double deal for Andrew Omobamidele and Nico Elvedi
Two names linked in January and indeed ahead of the summer are Andrew Omobamidele and Nico Elvedi. Recent reports have revealed that Leeds United want to sign Omobamidele this summer with the Strasbourg loan man once again facing an uncertain future, and with the French club unlikely to make his stay permanent.
But along with Omobamidele, journalist Ben Jacobs says that Leeds want to sign Elvedi too. Farke managed the Swiss defender at Borussia Monchengladbach previously and Jacobs says that Leeds have retained their long-standing interest in the 28-year-old, who was previously reported to be keen on a move to England this summer.
Speaking about Omobamidele to Leeds, Jacobs said on Market Madness: “The other thing I would add: this is not in place of Nico Elvedi, that profile is also a centre-back, and a centre-back-left-back.
“So Leeds are prepared to add centre-back-right-back in Andrew Omobamidele, one of their options, and still Nico Elvedi as well, and both players are likely to be available for just south of £10million, maybe around £8million. Leeds I think will be busy, but with many of their targets they’ve been waiting, because they want to know what their division will be.”
- READ MORE: EFL legend said he actually wanted to stay at Leeds United but Sheffield United made it impossible
What Nico Elvedi said about possibly moving to Leeds United
With Omobamidele, the picture seems clearer: he’s ready to leave Nottingham Forest and for either a team in the Premier League or Championship, so it could be a deal that Leeds make regardless of how this season pans out.
As for Elvedi, it seems a bit more complicated. The 56-cap Swiss star will not be short of suitors this summer with all signs pointing to him leaving the Bundesliga, though he wants it to be a step up.
Speaking earlier in the season, Elvedi said about his Borussia Monchengladbach future: “It will probably be an issue again after this season. I have communicated that openly. If something comes up, I will look into it. However, it has to be a step forward. An improvement on Gladbach.”
Leeds would almost certainly need promotion to stand a chance of signing Elvedi. But Jacobs’ comments suggest that that’s what Farke hopes to do this summer.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
