Tottenham and Gretar Steinsson were in talks with new Leeds United target just two years ago

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Leeds United are interested in signing a new defender before Friday’s deadline that Tottenham Hotspur were in talks to sign two years ago, while Gretar Steinsson was at Spurs.

Former Bolton defender Steinsson has since forged a career in the transfer world of football. He retired in 2013 and has since held roles at AZ Alkmaar, Fleetwood Town and then Everton initially as a scout.

He was made chief scout at Everton in 2019 and after two years, joined Tottenham’s transfer team under Fabio Paratici. After a year between July 2022 and 2023, he moved to Leeds where he has remained.

Leeds have revamped their transfer department after Victor Orta’s dictatorship came to an end. It is no longer a one-man band but instead, a team that includes Steinsson, Jordan Miles and Nick Hammond.

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Steinsson and Tottenham were in talks for Leeds target in 2022

Shortly after Steinsson’s arrival at Tottenham two years ago, the London club were in talks to sign left-back Owen Wijndal. He had burst onto the scene in Dutch football but ended up signing for Ajax.

Now, Leeds want to sign Wijndal. They face competition from Ilia Gruev’s old side Werder Bremen and arch rivals Galatasaray, but Netherlands star Wijndal is said to be keen on a move to Elland Road.

It might be that Leeds are interested largely due to the presence of Steinsson, given he was at Spurs when Tottenham were in talks to sign him two years go according to a report from French site Foot Mercato.

Wijndal would be a stunning signing for Leeds

Firstly, because a left-back is crucial. Leeds have only Sam Byram as cover for Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo, and Byram is largely injury prone. The Whites need another body in that area this summer.

A left-back, and not a right-back. Bogle is a new signing, Byram is right-footed and Firpo has entered the last 12 months of his Leeds contract and a long-term replacement for Firpo would make sense at Leeds.

So Leeds need a left-back, younger than Firpo with the quality to replace him when the time comes. Wijndal ticks all the boxes and if Leeds can get a deal done before Friday it would be a superb addition.