Leeds United have new left-back target ‘high on the shopping list’ with 49ers prepared to pay £1m

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With Leeds United close to completing a new signing in central midfield, full-back looks like it will be next on the list of priorities.

The Whites are set to make Fortuna Dusseldorf midfielder Ao Tanaka their seventh signing of the summer but Graham Smyth says work is continuing behind-the-scenes for another two.

Daniel Farke has wanted more cover at full-back since Leeds’ second pre-season friendly a number of weeks ago now, but for whatever reason, movement has been slow.

Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo are very much first choice right now but any sort of injury would leave Leeds short, with Sam Byram the only cover.

At this stage, it is unclear whether Leeds are looking at a right or left-back, as there have been links to players on both sides.

• READ MORE: What Leeds United are planning to do next in the transfer market with Ao Tanaka deal close to completion

Leeds keen on deal for Isaac Schmidt

Max Aarons and Owen Wijndal have been the names mentioned this week but it appears as though they are both unlikely.

Aarons is expected to leave Bournemouth before the deadline and Leeds are one of the clubs interested, but the Cherries do not want to sanction a loan.

Despite reports from the Netherlands, Ajax’s Wijndal is not reported to be a target at Elland Road, with Blick Sport suggesting a new name ‘high on the shopping list’.

As per the report, Leeds are now keen on a move for St Gallen full-back Isaac Schmidt, who while preferring the left, can actually play on both sides.

It is said Leeds would be prepared to pay £1 million for Schmidt, who is out of contract at the Swiss side in 2026.

A signing for this sort of fee certainly makes sense from Leeds’ perspective, as anyone who comes in will have to settle for second choice.

• READ MORE: European side could be about to make late bid for £12.5m Leeds United player

Who is new Leeds target Isaac Schmidt?

As mentioned, Schmidt is capable of playing on both sides of defence, as well as on the wing, with his best attributes very much going forward.

Schmidt has made over 100 appearances for current club St Gallen and in that time, has a decent attacking record with six goals and 10 assists.

Earlier in his career, he was capped on two occasions at youth level by Switzerland’s U20s and has also played at Lausanne-Sport, where another Leeds target Alvyn Sanches currently plays.

Of course, he is a player Leeds fans are unlikely to have seen much of and so the jury is very much out, but this is the sort of market which will have to be looked at with Firpo first choice.