49ers Enterprises must cough up for last-gasp Ben Godfrey transfer as new Leeds United transfer mistake emerges
With only a matter of days left in the January transfer window, the task for Leeds United in the final knockings of the window remains clear, they need a new fullback.
Daniel Farke’s options are currently very limited, with Djed Spence and Luke Ayling both departing Elland Road, the German has been left with Archie Gray, Jamie Shackleton and Sam Byram as his only options to feature on the right of the defence.
Leeds have tried to get deals over the line. They had a clear run at Daiki Hashioka but only wanted a loan deal and he has now seemingly instead made the switch to the Premier League with Luton Town [Daily Mail, 29 January].
The Whites were reportedly interested in Calvin Ramsay [Daily Mail, 18 January], but the Liverpool youngster has headed to League One to join Bolton Wanderers for the remainder of the season as they look to win promotion to the Premier League.
Time is running out and Leeds need to move quickly to find a new fullback before the January transfer window slams shut. It is becoming clear that the 49ers may have to just bite the bullet and match Everton’s requirements to bring Ben Godfrey to Elland Road.
Godfrey remains an option for the Whites, but reports suggest that both Leeds and Everton will have to meet somewhere in the middle before the transfer deadline on Thursday [1 February] to ensure that the deal can be completed [Beren Cross, 29 January].
Leeds United don’t want to overpay for the defender’s services this month, but with Ramsey and Hashioka both heading elsewhere, the Whites and their owners cannot afford to let this deal slip through their fingers so close to the deadline.
Godfrey can play across the entire back four and would provide Farke with some much-needed versatility for the remainder of the season as Leeds look to make an immediate return to the Premier League this season.
To finish in the automatic promotion places this term, the Whites will have to be almost flawless as Ipswich and Southampton have shown that they can go on lengthy unbeaten runs and hold down their place in the table.
Farke’s side cannot do that with the current depth at the German’s disposal and he needs reinforcements quickly to ensure that he can break into the top two places.
The 49ers have to back their manager now and finalise a deal with Godfrey, especially after they failed to acquire either of their initial two defensive targets.
In other Leeds United news, Graham Smyth has shared an update on the Whites’ plans for the remainder of the window
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