Left-back is quickly emerging as a problem position for Leeds United once again with Junior Firpo set to leave the club at the end of the month – and Adam Underwood has identified a replacement.
Initially, Leeds had been very interested in improving the spine of the side. They have started to do that, with the signing of Lukas Nmecha up front as cover and the imminent addition of Jaka Bijol in defence.
Wednesday could be the day that Leeds sign Bijol, with the Udinese and Slovenia defender jetting in to England to complete his £18.75m deal. Leeds remain in the market for a goalkeeper and a midfielder.
The Whites are also expected to sign another striker, alongside Nmecha. But left-back is another issue, with Firpo leaving and Sam Byram still scheduled to go. Now, Leeds have identified a replacement.
Adam Underwood looks to Ligue 1 for Junior Firpo replacement
According to Graham Smyth on the Yorkshire Evening Post’s website, Leeds are ‘very keen’ on Lille’s Sweden international Gabriel Gudmundsson. An attacking full-back that has thrived since joining Lille.
The 26-year-old is versatile, able to act as cover in the middle of the defence and even on the right side. A 15-time Sweden star that has played 137 times for Lille in the last four seasons for the Ligue 1 outfit.
Gudmundsson is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract with the Ligue 1 side, and that means Leeds have every chance of landing the left-back this summer. It is unclear how much he would cost.
Why Pontus Jansson could inadvertently play a role in signing
According to TransferMarkt, Gudmundsson is represented by MD Management. He is one of the top players on their books, but another is a Leeds icon in the form of another Swede – Pontus Jansson.
The veteran centre-back is currently back at boyhood club Malmo after a stint at Brentford under Thomas Frank. Given Leeds have dealt with Jansson’s agents in the past and over the last few years, it may help.
It might be that those connections allow Leeds to smooth over a deal for Gudmundsson. But this is a player likely to be on the radar for a number of top clubs this summer – and Leeds will have competition.
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