Following the early cancellation of Djed Spence’s loan from Tottenham Hotspur and the transfer of Luke Ayling to Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Daniel Farke have been in need of a new right-back for several weeks.The most important transfer assignment for the rest of the window was brought to light by Archie Gray’s injury last week against Norwich.

A number of targets have emerged as a result of the Whites’ diligent efforts to find a fresh face to support their push for Championship promotion. Although they think highly of Neoco Williams at Nottingham Forest, he is a part of Nuno’s plans and hasn’t been made available this month. They have also considered a trade for Ben Johnson at West Ham.

The 49ers appear to be on the verge of a breakthrough with the addition of Connor Roberts at Burnley, an international player who plays alongside Dan James, Joe Rodon, and Ethan Ampadu.

Leeds now nearing Roberts deal

TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook claims that Roberts is “close” to signing with Leeds on deadline day right now. He did not state at what point in the pursuit the club is, but it seems like they are nearing an agreement with Burnley, so they will need to move quickly to prepare a contract and do a physical.

Roberts hasn’t started a Premier League match for Burnley this season, so you’d think that a loan move would be in everyone’s best interests. In the event of relegation, Burnley would have the option to reintegrate him in the summer, and Leeds would have the opportunity to evaluate him for the balance of the season before determining whether to make a permanent offer. Ultimately, Roberts was a member of the PFA Team of the Year during their previous championship run.

“Boundless energy” of Roberts can make difference for Leeds

Farke will have the ability to change things up if he so chooses because Roberts, who has typically played on the right of a four, has expertise in more advanced duties on that flank as well.

Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic has described him as a player with “boundless energy,” and his stats from the 2020–21 season, while he was still with Swansea, are the closest illustration of this. Below, you can see how many crucial creative plays he made to show how often he bombed forward down the right, ranking in the league’s top 10. What matters most is that he made sure he didn’t neglect his defensive duties as well, finishing third in blocks with 67.

By pushing into enemy territory, he demonstrated his ability to be an offensive initiator in 22/23, as evidenced by his 9,396-yard progressive carrying distance, which ranked seventh. Given his dissatisfaction at Turf Moor, it is hardly surprising that Leeds has targeted him; if they can recruit him, their chances of making the Premier League have increased dramatically.