Leeds United on verge of signing number eight of the summer as agreement now close for full-back deal

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Leeds United look quickly set to follow the arrival of Ao Tanaka with another new signing.

Tanaka is expected to become incoming number seven of the summer after flying into Leeds Bradford Airport earlier this morning to undergo a medical and sign a four-year-deal.

The Japanese international is set to finally fill the void left by Glen Kamara’s departure to Rennes in July and provide Daniel Farke‘s squad with that goalscoring number eight.

However, alongside central midfield, full-back has also been a position on Leeds‘ radar for a number of weeks now.

Leeds have only Jayden Bogle, Junior Firpo and Sam Byram as options for three positions but that looks set to change imminently with another deal now close.

• READ MORE: What Leeds United ‘club sources’ are saying about interest in Roland Sallai as deadline approaches

Leeds close to an agreement for Isaac Schmidt

Leeds had been reported to be interested in the likes of Max Aarons and Owen Wijndal, but for different reasons, neither look likely to happen.

As such, Leeds have taken a more left-field approach in their search for another full-back with St Gallen FC’s Isaac Schmidt emerging on the radar today.

And now Daily Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath has shared a new update on the situation, in what looks like more good news for Leeds.

McGrath has written on his Twitter account that Leeds are now close to an agreement with St Gallen over a deal for Schmidt, as talks continue.

Schmidt could actually be in action for St Gallen in their Europa Conference League play-off final tonight away at Trabzonspor.

While St Gallen will be desperate for him to play, Leeds will be keen to finalise a deal as soon as possible so they can fly him over for a medical, without the prospect of him picking up an injury.

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

Schmidt deal could help Leeds save funds for big deal

Schmidt is capable of playing both as a right and left-back which means Leeds now have two versatile options as cover for Firpo and Byram.

Reports have suggested Leeds will only be paying £1 million to sign Schmidt which means the Whites will be strengthening two positions for less than £5 million.

Hopefully that will free up the funds for Leeds to go big on one final marquee signing to the end the window.

Leeds are still looking at the number 10 position and if bringing in someone like Schmidt for cover means they can land one of Gustavo Hamer or Roland Sallai, then it’s good business.