Leeds United: Cody Drameh could see Premier League transfer blocked as Rasmus Kristensen exit news emerges
Leeds United defender Rasmus Kristensen has agreed to depart Elland Road with his loan move to AS Roma now in reportedly the advanced stages and that could have a domino effect on Cody Drameh’s future.
The Serie A giants have long been targeting fellow Elland Road defender and Spaniard Diego Llorente, with Fabrizio Romano reporting on 24 June that the final details are set to be discussed on a transfer for the centre-back.
And now it seems Jose Mourinho’s men are about to have their grasp on another Leeds player in Kristensen who only joined from Red Bull Salzburg last summer and is now close to joining Llorente at the Stadio Olimpico.
According to Di Marzio [24 June], talks are at an advanced stage for Kristensen to join Roma, with the Danish defender giving his approval to join Mourinho’s men for next season.
Taking to his personal Twitter account, he tweeted: “Talks at an advanced stage for Rasmus Nissen Kristensen to join AS Roma from Leeds United.
“The player has given his approval to the move, he’s keen on it. The formula of the deal is still to be understood.”
With the Whites now set to lose two defenders this summer, it is incredibly likely for them to sanction a third departure in quick succession without securing any replacements.
And there’s a long way to go before that can be considered a possibility, with Leeds United still yet to formally announce their new managerial appointment.
Drameh has long been linked with an instant return to Luton Town on a permanent transfer, after helping the Hatters to an unprecedented Premier League place for next season. But, fellow Premier League newcomers Burnley have also been linked with his signature.
And reliable transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed on 14 April that there has been no new decision on the youngster’s long-term future but according to Daily Mail [29 April], he seems keen to leave West Yorkshire this summer.
However, the Whites are still trying to convince him to stay at the club but clarity will be needed over the managerial position after Sam Allardyce’s departure [BBC Sport, 2 June] in order for that to happen, according to Romano [3 June], despite.
Taking to his personal Twitter account, he tweeted: “Burnley and Luton are prepared to open talks over the permanent transfer of Cody Drameh in the coming days.
“Leeds have yet to appoint a new head coach as they still hope to convince Drameh to stay and get promoted next season.”
With Luton Town and Burnley in a much better position right now, gracing the Premier League next season, it will be terribly hard for Leeds United to convince Drameh to endure another Championship season.
Many will feel the Whites are holding him back, given his tremendous campaign in the English second division helping Luton Town to the playoffs and a final win over Coventry, and it seems guaranteed he’d want to stay at Kenilworth Road or try and further his development under Vincent Kompany’s tutelage in the Premier League.
However, any ambitions Drameh had of departing Elland Road for pastures new may now be out the window after Kristensen’s surprise new exit development.
Where this loan transfer leaves Leeds United in the transfer market now, having to find a potential replacement is certainly a worry as they would have had plans for the 25-year-old to remain a key part of their Championship aspirations.
Veteran right-back Luke Ayling arguably can’t be trusted to complete a full 46-game campaign and there are no guarantees Leeds United will be able to secure a viable replacement for Kristensen in the market, given their current position right now.
The sensible option will be to keep Drameh right now and hope to provide him with the first-team Elland Road aspirations he craves. And should the Whites announce an attractive and progressive new manager at the helm in the coming days, that persuasion may prove too strong for the Thorp Arch academy product to turn down.
Whoever that new name is certainly has a huge upcoming task on their hands.
In other Leeds United news, “white smoke” has been tipped to arrive in the middle of the week for another departure from the Elland Road first team.