‘Leeds free to sign outstanding defender’ as Premier League coach speaks out
Leeds United have been given a free path to sign Nottingham Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele.
The Whites are believed to be the front runners in the race for Omobamidele’s services and could now look to accelerate their transfer plans after a crushing injury blow to Pascal Struijk.
However, Nottingham Forest coach Andy Reid has encouraged Daniel Farke to pursue a move via the Off The Ball podcast, as relayed by Leeds Live (18 January), with his admission that the centre-back needs to leave the City Ground for first team football.
He said: “It’s been a tough period for him, opportunities have been limited. He needs to go play football – I’d imagine he will find something that lets him get on the football pitch.
“He’s somebody that I worked with at the Ireland under 18s, he’s a great lad and I think he’ll have a really good career. But he needs to play some football.”
Leeds United should sign Andrew Omobamidele
The 22-year-old was a highly regarded prospect at Norwich City, earning him a Premier League move to Nottingham Forest.
Once dubbed as “outstanding” by Norwich centre-back partner Grant Hanley for his start to life at Carrow Road as an 18-year-old (Irish Examiner, 7 April 2021) his career has stalled since his move.
Although Nuno Espirito Santo is working miracles in the East Midlands with his side sitting in third place only seven points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, Omobamidele has been frozen out of the first team frame.
He featured 11 times in the Premier League towards the back end of last season but has only played once this term, in the penalty shootout loss against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.
Nottingham Forest are eager to recoup £10 million in a loan-to-buy deal with the Whites [The Sun], a reasonable fee for a player still with much to prove.
Farke relied heavily on Struijk and Joe Rodon to lead the backline while Ethan Ampadu and Max Wober suffered long-term injury setbacks, he cannot afford to find himself in a similar situation again.
Omobamidele has extensive Championship experience, plenty of room to develop into a top-level talent, and is available in the winter transfer window – this deal is a no-brainer.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are expected ‘to replace Junior Firpo’ amid links to a ‘magnificent’ defender.
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