Arsenal transfer news emerges as Leeds United want to sign Josh Doig
Leeds United are in active pursuit of Hellas Verona left-back Josh Doig this month who has been watched by Arsenal over the past year, according to Dean Jones.
The former Eurosport journalist, speaking to GiveMeSport (13 January) shared that Doig is a target that the Whites are very much informed on along with Rangers while Arsenal were kept in touch with his progress over the past year.
Doig does look all set to join French Ligue 1 outfit Marseille though with a deal and personal terms all agreed upon (Fabrizio Romano, 13 January) and Jones admits that West Ham United defender Ben Johnson may now be the one for Daniel Farke to pursue.
Jones said: “He [Doig] is a target that both [Leeds and Rangers] were very well informed on, and Arsenal have been kept in touch with his progress over the past year or so.
“He is a really good player and, obviously, both Leeds and Rangers could do with a boost in his position, so this is becoming an active pursuit of an attainable player.
“But, from a Leeds perspective, it really does seem like they are going after a few players that have specific experience and traits. Ben Johnson, from West Ham, is attainable and could be the one.”
Get in Johnson
Leeds United have an unwanted problem at right back right now having sanctioned exits for Djed Spence back to his parent club Tottenham and Luke Ayling who joined Middlesbrough on loan.
It’s a problem which should well force the Whites into the transfer market to sign a specialist right back after deploying a fine short-term solution in Archie Gray who is certainly showing his brilliant versatility and tactical understanding right now.
However, deploying a midfielder there isn’t sustainable and Sam Byram who has undergone several injury issues already since his summer move from Norwich can’t be relied upon for the rest of the campaign.
Doig certainly represented a tremendous pick-up for Leeds United but he’s chosen Marseille as his next destination which now means the Whites have Johnson as their fall-back option.
In all honesty, the Englishman too represents a decent solution at right back and would be willing to join given his limited minutes in East London.
However, it remains to be seen whether West Ham would be willing to sanction his exit given they’d have veteran Vladimir Coufal as their only choice at right-back.
In other Leeds news, Ayling replacement eyed as club open to offers for international ace.