Versatile full-back James Justin is closing in on a move to Leeds United from Leicester City to provide competition to Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
James Justin could become Leeds United’s ninth signing of the summer after Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been confirmed on a three-year deal.
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Luton Town | 114 | 6 | 13 |
| Leicester City | 168 | 11 | 10 |
| England | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Leeds United News revealed exclusively that Leicester City’s Justin is on Leeds’ radar. Since then, Justin and Leeds have accelerated to a conclusion.
Despite his wealth of experience after six years with the Foxes, the Leicester defender arguably needs a fresh start at Leeds and they are now closing in on the deal to bring him in.
- READ MORE: Dominic Calvert-Lewin reveals what persuaded him to join Leeds United after Sunderland interest
James Justin’s reasons for joining Leeds and concern for Jayden Bogle
Despite starting Leicester’s campaign, Justin is set to leave. It is believed England international Justin is going to cost Leeds around £6 million, with Everton also interested at that price.
Leeds fans are keen on Justin’s versatility already. Predominantly a right-back, Justin can also operate as a left-back. He is fairly ambipedal (two-footed) and Justin almost has an even split between the full-back and wing-back positions.
With Justin having featured only slightly more (123) on the right-hand side compared to the left (108), the rest of his game time has come as a very occasional centre-back.
Leeds United News transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey has further information from his exclusive earlier. He said: “I’m told that Justin thinks he comes in and earns a starting spot — be it at left-back or right-back.
“He isn’t coming in to sit on the bench and Leeds love that attitude. If Justin gets back to his best, he’d be Leeds’ best full-back, without a doubt.
“Justin’s a high quality player. Very good. England international. I know Leeds fans like Jayden Bogle an awful lot, but he could come in and challenge on both sides.
“With [Gabriel] Gudmundsson as well, Leeds have three full-backs of real quality but I believe he’s better than their current starting pair. I think he is better than Bogle and Gudmundsson.”
Daniel Farke’s update on Jayden Bogle amid James Justin interest
Justin was revealed to be a target alongside Noah Okafor in Beren Cross’ update for the Athletic. The latter came up against Isaac Schmidt on Saturday, but that is Bogle’s starting position for Leeds.
Competition is healthy and he will push Bogle and Gudmundsson, such is his versatility. It also allows for rotation depending on the type of opponent Leeds face as well.
Speaking in the pre-match press conference today, Farke revealed the current state Bogle is in. He said: “It will be a late decision on Jayden. He was outstanding last season for us and pre-season as well, but he’s been out for two-and-a-half weeks with his injury.
“He was part integrated into team training for the first time on Wednesday. This afternoon he will join us in team training [in the] first time for the full session. It depends how his body reacts. Thank God we have four more sessions and then we will see.
“If he comes though these four sessions he’s a topic for the squad. For how many minutes, we’ll see. His overall fitness is on a top level because he played so many games. Had a good pre-season, not ideal, but still a good chance for Monday.”
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