Leeds United could make more additions in the middle of their defence despite the signing of Joe Rodon, and one player on the Elland Road radar has just had his price tag slashed to £5m.
Rodon’s return to Leeds came about largely thanks to pal Archie Gray. The teen’s £40m move to Spurs gave Leeds the chance to organise a deal that saw Rodon return to Elland Road for a quarter of that fee.
It sees Leeds instantly look well-stocked in defence, but there could be more additions. Ethan Ampadu was signed as a midfielder by Daniel Farke and the German will surely want him to return to that role.
Pascal Struijk is fit again and that is a boost, but Liam Cooper is now technically a free agent while it is expected that Charlie Cresswell will join Ligue 1 side Toulouse in due course for a fee of around £3.8m.
Leeds target’s asking price reduced to bargain £5m fee
If Ampadu does return to midfield and captain Cooper ends up leaving Leeds on a free with nothing confirmed as of yet, then Leeds will need another centre-back and Liverpool’s Nat Phillips is an option.
Described as “unbelievable” by Jamie Redknapp, Phillips is a player that has long been admired by Leeds boss Farke. The German was keen on him while at Norwich, after Phillips went on loan to Stuttgart.
It was claimed last month that Cardiff City had been ruled out of a permanent move after having Phillips on loan, because of his £8m price tag. It remains that Phillips is ‘certain’ to leave Anfield this summer.
Joe Rodon may prevent Phillips from wanting Leeds move
But now, a report from Turkish outlet 61 Saat claims that Liverpool reduced their asking price to £5m while in talks with SuperLig side Trabzonspor, who have recently signed John Lundstram from Rangers.
However, even at that fee, Trabzonspor have taken a step back from negotiations before deciding what to do next. It might be then that Arne Slot’s side are willing to accept £5m for Phillips in the next few weeks.
Whether Leeds are willing to splash the cash again on a defender that might not be first choice behind Rodon remains to be seen. But Phillips would be a top addition in defence, especially at just £5m.
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