Matthew Chadder

Tue 25 July 2023 7:10, UK

Leeds United have been offered encouragement in their pursuit of defensive target Milan van Ewijk.

The Whites are in need of reinforcements at the back after being relegated from the Premier League. Max Wober is set to make a move to Borussia Monchengladbach, while Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen and Robin Koch have already left on loan.

And 22-year-old Van Ewijk is a target for Leeds as they look to find a solution to their defensive woes with the Heerenveen defender perhaps being that perfect solution.

According to Leeuwarder Courant journalist Sander de Vries, Leeds, as well as fellow Championship side Coventry, are interested in the youngster’s signature.

De Vries wrote via Twitter (23 July) that Mark Robins’ men have already had a bid rejected last week and have been after Van Ewijk’s services for “some time”.

Both clubs have may have been offered some encouragement in their pursuit of the Dutch Under-21, who has already made 112 Eredivisie appearances, with his manager Kees van Wonderen previously suggesting he is ready to test himself at a new club.

“The way I look at it is that he has to take the next step. He must be challenged again, the bar must be set much higher, so that he really has to walk on his toes,” Van Wonderen told Voetbal International on 4 May.

“Milan needs new incentives, absolutely. For example, he is very strong and it has been measured that he is the fastest player in the Eredivisie. To take the next step in this regard, I think he needs new incentives. He has to get out of his comfort zone.”

It seems as if van Wonderen is already resigned to losing his player and is in fact encouraging him to go and challenge himself elsewhere, and there aren’t many bigger challenges than a Championship promotion push.

Leeds are light on defenders and even though they already have Luke Ayling at right-back, Cody Drameh could still depart and Rasmus Kristensen has already joined Roma on loan. It might even be that Leeds feel they could convert him to cover the problematic left-back spot. Either way, in 36 appearances last season Van Ewijk scored six times and this attacking threat could make him an exciting proposition at full-back.

Now might be the perfect time for Van Ewijk to leave the Eredivisie and try his luck in English football and this is certainly an interesting transfer to keep an eye on.

In other Leeds United news, manager Daniel Farke has outlined transfer plans of his own.