Leeds United have Joe Worrall replacement already as new medical update emerges
Leeds United left their January transfer business incredibly late this time round, with the Whites’ only addition to Daniel Farke’s playing squad being the deadline day arrival of Connor Roberts.
That lack of business didn’t mean that Leeds weren’t linked with several names over the course of the month, with plenty of players being touted with a midseason move to Elland Road, whether it was Manuel Benson or Ben Godfrey.
However, one name that repeatedly cropped up throughout January was Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall, with the Whites known to be interested in the defender who had fallen out of favour at the City Ground this season.
Forest left it incredibly late to make the centre-back available on loan, with reports suggesting Nuno Espirito Santo only opened the door to a temporary switch late on deadline day, meaning the Whites didn’t have enough time to get a deal over the line [Alan Nixon, 1 February].
However, Besiktas are now reported to have won the race for the 27-year-old’s signature and the Forest defender was said to be having a medical ahead of joining the Turkish giants on loan for the remainder of the campaign [The Athletic, 4 February].
Daniel Farke has perfect Worrall solution at Leeds United in Ethan Ampadu
While some Leeds United supporters will be gutted to hear that they have missed out on bolstering their options at the heart of defence, Farke has shown in recent weeks that he already has the perfect extra defensive option in his squad.
Ethan Ampadu has stepped into the backline alongside Joe Rodon and has managed to show that he is more than capable of being the Whites’ third or fourth centre-back option, with excellent displays against the likes of Bristol City and Preston North End.
Against Preston, the Welshman won 100 per cent of his six ground duels, and three out of four of his defensive battles, all while shining with the ball at his feet as he completed 90 per cent of his 71 attempted passes [stats via Fotmob].
The 23-year-old may be at his best when he is deployed in midfield, but he has shown in the last month that he can fill in, in the backline, if Farke’s squad pick up a number of injuries.
Farke said throughout the January transfer window that Leeds couldn’t afford to be “naive” and leave themselves short of options.
While some fans may be concerned they have done exactly that by missing out on Worrall, Ampadu has shown that the Whites have enough quality to earn automatic promotion regardless.
In other Leeds United news, one European manager has named Crysencio Summerville in a new January transfer admission
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