Cody Drameh transfer ‘favourite’ named as Leeds United battle to keep him from Luton and Burnley
Carlton Palmer expects Luton Town to be the “favourites” to sign Cody Drameh if Leeds United allow him to leave this summer.
The right-back won promotion to the Premier League on loan at Kenilworth Road, just as his parent club were being relegated back to the Championship.
Fabrizio Romano reported at the weekend (3 June) that both the Hatters and Vincent Kompany’s Burnley were set to open talks over a transfer, and while the Whites want to keep him Palmer feels the lure of finally getting a proper opportunity in the top flight might sway the youngster.
The former Elland Road midfielder told Football League World: “It is reported that Luton Town and Burnley are ready to open talks with Leeds United about signing Cody Drameh.
“Cody has been on loan at Luton since January enjoying an impressive spell in helping Luton get promoted to the Premier League.
“You would think that Leeds would want to keep this talented young right-back and guarantee him first-team football next season in the Championship.
“However, with Luton and Burnley both promoted to the Premier League, of course, as a footballer, you want to ply your trade in the highest league possible.
“You would think Luton would be favourites to sign him, given his successful loan period. If Leeds do decide to sell, then I believe that’s where he should go.”
Touch and go
Drameh seems like the ideal player to be part of the push for promotion, having proven to be a major success in the Championship at both Luton and Cardiff over the past two seasons.
The club will arguably only have themselves to blame if he wants to leave after overlooking him in favour of both Rasmus Kristensen and Luke Ayling this season.
Whoever comes in as manager is bound to play a key role so the quicker an appointment is made the better, but they will need to convince the 21-year-old he actually will get his chance this time or either of the two sides pushing for him will look like more attractive options.
Drameh arguably already has more familiarity with Luton first-team than he does with Leeds’, having been a key part of the first team that won promotion.
So absent a new-found commitment from the powers that be at Elland Road it would be easy to see him taking the opportunity to finish what he started this season on loan.
But Whites fans would surely feel a lot better for next term if they had Drameh still available after a season where right-back was a problem position, so upcoming negotiations will be key.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has dropped a new takeover update with 49ers pushing to get the deal closed this week.