Leeds United could bring in two more youngsters before the end of the January transfer window, according to Graham Smyth.
The Whites have been busy so far this month when it comes to adding to Jesse Marsch’s first-team squad, with Max Wober and Georginio Rutter through the door at Elland Road.
They could eventually be joined by Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, with the versatile midfielder currently on the radar, with Victor Orta presenting an increased offer for the 22-year-old. Leeds may not finish there, though, with a new young goalkeeper and young defender potentially on the cards.
Smyth shared a story for the Yorkshire Evening Post on Monday, looking at the transfer state of play at the club.
He said that Leeds are weighing up their options when it comes to Ounahi and added that ‘the emergence of loan interest in goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson could lead to the introduction of another young stopper, if the Norwegian heads out for gametime elsewhere.’
Smyth then claimed that the Whites ‘are also currently tracking a teenage centre-back who plies his trade in Portugal and would be seen initially as a player for the Under 21s squad if a deal could be done at the end of the window.’
TIF thoughts on more transfers…
Bringing in a young ‘keeper and defender wouldn’t impact Marsch’s first-team squad for the second half of the season, but they could still be wise moves in the long run.
Leeds have placed trust in their academy ranks since returning to the Premier League, with the likes of Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Crysencio Summerville, Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood all spending time in the under-21 system before becoming regular members of the first-team squad.
Therefore, Orta could be on to two more future stars this month, with young Club Brugge goalkeeper Senne Lammens name-checked as a potential target, so he could be the man on the club’s radar if Klaesson leaves on loan.