Leeds United expected to complete Luke Thomas signing from Leicester City with Daniel Farke ‘keen’ – Alex Crook
Leeds United are expected to be successful in their pursuit of Luke Thomas from Leicester City before the deadline, according to Alex Crook.
The talkSPORT reporter told GIVEMESPORT (29 August) that Daniel Farke is “keen” on the left-back and that a deal will “probably happen” in the final days of the window.
The only specialist at the position in the Whites squad is out injured in Junior Firpo, and stand-in Sam Byram has also now out for up to three weeks [Phil Hay, 29 August].
Crook said: “Yeah I think so. They’ve lost a lot of players with all their contracts with release clause upon relegation, it’s obviously hit the squad quite hard.
“Definitely Luke Thomas is someone that Daniel Farke is keen on. I think that one will probably happen.”
One report from Last Word on Sports (30 August) suggests a deal is now in place, but given multiple late collapses already this summer it isn’t secure until it is announced, but Crook expects it to go through.
Much-needed
If Leeds United actually sign a left-back after also bringing in a proper striker in Joel Piroe then the new 49ers ownership and their appointed recruitment figures will have well and truly distanced themselves from the previous regime.
Both have been problem positions that went unaddressed for multiple transfer windows and helped contribute to relegation last season, with Firpo and Patrick Bamford two of the Whites players most beset by injuries and both having struggled for form over the past year.
Byram has done a solid job on the left after taking over from another stand-in option in Leo Hjelde, but once again his injury record is worrying.
It might seem surprising for the Foxes to provide an answer to a problem for a direct rival at Elland Road but it sounds like there is some confidence that a move will get done.
Farke, Nick Hammond and Gretar Steinsson are working overtime in the final days of the transfer window to make up for the multiple blows that went before as a long list of players departed Elland Road this summer.
Piroe is a hugely significant signing, and while Thomas wouldn’t get the fans excited in the same way he could be just as vital if they do wrap him up as well.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have got all the way to the “closing stages” of another badly-needed late permanent deal.