George Overhill

Thu 1 February 2024 23:34, UK

Connor Roberts has already admitted that he is “quietly hopeful” of staying at Leeds United on a permanent deal, according to Phil Hay.

The Athletic journalist reported on the outlet’s website late on 1 February after the Welsh defender’s loan move was finally confirmed, that there is currently no option or obligation to keep the Burnley man at Elland Road beyond the summer.

But the 28-year-old, who fills the Whites’ transfer window “priority” of signing a right-back after Djed Spence and Lyke Ayling left, has a contract at Turf Moor that runs until the end of next season.

But according to Hay he “looks likely to pursue his longer-term career elsewhere” after becoming the only incoming piece of business at Leeds midseason.

Hay added via Twitter: “Conor Roberts joins Leeds United on loan from Burnley. Spoke to him earlier. Strong hints that he’d like the move to become permanent.

“Quite a while since I’ve heard and seen someone so delighted to be joining Leeds. Potentially a very good signing, in the position where Leeds most needed an additional option.”

Audition

It took until 23 minutes after the window closed but Leeds United finally announced one of the long list of defensive options they had looked at to help bolster the numbers for Daniel Farke, after the German had decided to let Spence and Ayling depart.

If Roberts can have anything like the impact of the other Welsh loanee at Elland Road this season, Joe Rodon, then he likely will have a very good chance to get his wish of staying long-term.

He joins two more international teammates in Ethan Ampadu and Dan James, who along with Rodon have been stand-outs for Farke this term.

The manager is arguably still an injury or two from a crisis in defence, especially on the left where both Junior Firpo and Sam Byram are near-constant fitness worries.

But having brought Charlie Cresswell back into playing contention after a stand-off over playing time, and signed a specialist right-back who could play on the left at a push there should just about be enough, so this is one signing that appears to make a big difference.

And if he is so delighted to be at the club that it has stood out in particular to Hay then it should be a good sign for integrating quickly, with a promotion fight in full swing.

In other Leeds United news, a big-money permanent exit from Elland Road is due to go through within days.

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