Ben Jacobs shares ‘concrete’ update on Leeds United January transfer for Connor Roberts
Ben Jacobs has shared that Connor Roberts remains a “concrete target” for Leeds United during the January transfer window, but a move for Nottingham Forest’s Neco Williams is off the cards.
Daniel Farke is keen to add to his defensive options at Elland Road before the January transfer window slams shut, particularly at full-back having seen both Luke Ayling and Djed Spence depart this month.
The Whites were undertsood to be keen on Williams, but Nuno Espirito Santo has ruled out a move for the Welshman this month and therefore sports broadcaster Jacobs believes attention has instead shifted to Burnley defender Roberts.
As quoted by Give Me Sport (22 January) he said: “I think Leeds will be busy and extremely opportunistic because they know that some targets they like will not be available unless there are movements at other clubs. That’s kind of the challenge of the winter market.
“Williams has been admired long-term by Leeds because they looked at him in the summer of 2023. But he’s unavailable, and Leeds know that, so he can be ruled out. Nuno Espirito Santo has now said that on record, but it’s clear from Forest that Williams is unavailable.
“That led Leeds to turn their attention to another Welsh full-back in Burnley’s Roberts because he has not started a game since October. He remains a concrete target.”
Need reinforcements
Leeds United have managed to impress so far this season with incredibly limited depth in their backline, with the likes of Archie Gray and Jamie Shackleton impressing out of position to hide the lack of available options.
However, over the course of an entire Championship season, that lack of depth will be exposed, particularly against the division’s better sides and Leeds have to act to solve that problem before the end of the January transfer window.
Roberts not only solves that issue but has plenty of experience in England’s second tier. The Welshman impressed as Burnley won the Championship at a canter last year and would easily fit into Farke’s system at Elland Road.
If the 28-year-old is a concrete target for the Whites this month, they should move now to try and prize him away from Turf Moor, otherwise they will regret missing out on his services.
In other Leeds United news, Mick McCarthy has made a new automatic promotion prediction after the Whites’ win over Preston
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.