Leeds United: Connor Roberts January transfer update emerges at Elland Road
Leeds United have still not made any contact with Burnley over the transfer of right-back Connor Roberts, according to Alan Nixon.
The reliable newspaper journalist shared his response on his personal Twitter account (23 January) to a fan’s question regarding the Whites interest in the player after the Mirror (11 January) reported that Leeds have been offered the chance to sign the 28-year-old defender.
The report added that Burnley will consider offers for Roberts and are ready to let him go after slipping down the pecking order under Vincent Kompany.
Roberts is understood to be keen on a move to Elland Road this month and the Whites are desperately on the search for a right-back having allowed Djed Spence to return to parent club Tottenham and seen Luke Ayling join Middlesbrough on loan.
However, according to Nixon, no contact between the two clubs has been made at present.
Get him in
There is quite clearly a need at Elland Road for a new right-back to come in after what has happened this month, and Roberts could be a good bit of business.
The 28-year-old is an experienced and incredibly capable individual and it seems he won’t mind a step-down to the Championship to get some game time again and Leeds United must jump at the chance right now.
Farke seems to be keen on using Archie Gray as his first-choice right-back for this campaign to great effect so far but Gray cannot be expected to play every game until the end.
With Sam Byram, the first-choice left-back and Jamie Shackleton a midfielder, options are slim for the second half of the season.
Roberts knows the division well having been promoted with Burnley just last season, and is in the prime of his career making a potential transfer a no-brainer.
He hasn’t played much this season so may need time to get sharpness and fitness back, but Farke will be getting an experienced professional into the squad in a time of need.
Losing Luke Ayling made sense given his own limited opportunities at Elland Road but in terms of numbers, it’s one that could prove rather silly if Farke and the 49ers Enterprises don’t sign a replacement quickly.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared whether Farke is about to cancel another loan deal early.
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