Fabrizio Romano hints that Leeds United have now made approach to sign 21-year-old PL star on loan
In a September meeting with the Leeds United Supporter Trust, Angus Kinnear reaffirmed this, implying that Leeds purposefully left two loan berths available starting in the summer.
And now, with both full-back positions and a creative midfielder as objectives for Leeds, there’s another, following the shocking termination of Djed Spence’s loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur.
After being connected to David Brooks of Bournemouth, Fabio Romano has now suggested that Leeds has enquired about the potential of loaning out Fabio Carvalho to Liverpool.
After his loan at RB Leipzig ended, Romano claimed on Twitter that the top six Championship teams, along with Wolverhampton Wanderers, had all made inquiries about the 21-year-old.
Leeds would benefit greatly from Carvalho.
It’s evident that Leeds lacks a natural number 10 in the entire squad, especially when playing away from home against defensive teams.
Georginio Rutter looked quite good in that recent victory over Birmingham City, but it’s unclear if Daniel Farke would utilise him there on a regular basis.
Leeds United must avoid any repeat of 2018 transfer flop
Leeds United can not afford to make the same mistake again when it comes to signing for a key position.
KEY POINTS: Leeds United’s left-back situation has to be resolved during the January transfer window.Leeds has to learn from their 2018 error when they signed Laurens De Bock.The replacement left-back should be more than just an injured runner up from Sam Byram and Junior Firpo.
Leeds United is vying for automatic promotion after having a strong start to the season.
They are currently seven points behind Ipswich Town in second place, occupying fourth position. Championship defences have had to contend with a terrifying offensive quartet in Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Daniel James, and Joel Piroe.
Newcastle United have set their sights on a potential January deal involving Leeds United
Leeds’ left-back issue
For the most part of the season, the Whites have maintained a nearly fully-fit roster, which has aided them in their pursuit of promotion.
But for the Whites, one position that has presented some challenges is left-back.
Sam Byram has been their starting left-back for the most of this season, even though he was originally a right-back and is not a naturally left-footed player.
Though he has made 20 appearances in the Championship this season and contributed with a goal and an assist, he has performed brilliantly in his first season back at Elland Road.
After being released from fellow Championship team Norwich City, Byram returned to the Whites in the summer, spending seven and a half years away from his boyhood club.
Leeds need to avoid De Bock mistake
Leeds needs a left-back badly, therefore Whites supporters will be praying they don’t make the same mistake they did when they signed Laurens De Bock in 2018.
Leeds was just six points out of the automatic promotion spots in the Championship heading into the January transfer window in 2018. Midway through the season, Leeds was playing well under Thomas Christiansen, who was in his debut managerial season in England.
With Gjanni Alioski continuing to play on the wing, their left-back alternatives at the time were Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Tom Pearce, making it one of their weakest positions in the squad.
At that point, Leeds acquired De Bock for an undisclosed sum.That did not turn out to be the case, though, as Leeds finished the season horribly and failed to qualify for the play-offs. The Belgian only managed to make seven appearances in the second half of the campaign. The speed of the Championship severely exposed the now-31-year-old, who had a concerningly poor evening in February—a 2-2 draw against Derby County. He also struggled with positional play.
| Laurens De Bock career since joining Leeds United | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Appearances | Minutes |
| Leeds United | 7 | 630 |
| K.V. Oostende | 23 | 1,973 |
| Sunderland | 10 | 760 |
| ADO Den Haag | 8 | 705 |
| Zulte Waregem | 63 | 5,436 |
|
Atromitos F.C.
|
46 | 3,946 |
For the last four years of his contract, De Bock would remain at Leeds, spending most of his time on loan at Sunderland, ADO Den Haag in Holland, and Zulte Waregem and KV Oostende back home. He is now with Atromitos on the Greek side.
Farke will be careful not to repeat Christiansen’s error from when Leeds was vying for promotion. De Bock didn’t seem like a player who would actually help the team at Elland Road; rather, he was a left-back for the sake of being a left-back. If Leeds chooses to pursue a left-back in January, it must be a superior alternative than Byram and Firpo, not merely one with a stronger record in.
