Rasmus Kristensen potential incoming could be the beginning of the end for Leeds United stalwart
RB Salzburg’s Rasmus Kristensen’s potential Leeds United move could be the beginning of the end for Elland Road stalwart Luke Ayling.
It has been reported [The Athletic, 31 May], that Leeds are interested in the 24-year-old full-back who has been a standout performer in the Austrian Bundesliga in the 2021-22 season. Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet added on 1 June that a “huge” bid of around £10million has been tabled.
With a younger and more progressive full-back potentially coming through the door at Elland Road, it could well mean Ayling’s days are now numbered.
The right-back endured a terrible end to the season with a senseless red card against Arsenal receiving plenty of justified criticism from Whites’ fans.
Furthermore, the full-back has undergone surgery on a long-standing knee injury which could see the 30-year-old sidelined for four months [Yorkshire Evening Post, 24 May].
Considering his age, injury setback and incoming at Elland Road, it is going to be a long way back for Ayling if he wants to continue making a meaningful impact for the Yorkshire side.
He has been an everpresent for Leeds in their rise in recent years and will undoubtedly go down as a fan favourite with some memorable moments over the years.
However, with Jesse Marsch making his recruitment intentions clear, it is difficult to envisage the defender being a consistent first choice pick for the American.
Kristensen is six years younger and has all the attacking attributes Marsch wants in his full-backs.
That is not to say Ayling hasn’t been a good attacking threat for Leeds over the years, but at 30 his performance is only going to decline.
It has been a memorable period at Elland Road for the former Bristol City man, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is gradually phased out of Marsch’s first-team plans next season.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds United will have to pay £17m for Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino