FIFA red tape to block Leeds United hunt to sign Gent left-back Archie Brown in January transfer window
Leeds United are in the hunt to sign KAA Gent left-back Archie Brown but are going to be unable to sign him in January, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported via their website on Wednesday (13 December) that Burnley and Everton – as well as clubs in Germany and Italy – are showing an interest in the 21-year-old, who began his career at Derby County.
Brown joined Gent from Swiss side Lausanne in the summer after already making three appearances for them this season.
It is understood that FIFA rules prohibit players from playing for a third club in the same season so a deal for Brown would be very unlikely in January.
The Mail adds, however, that Birmingham-born Brown’s “reputation is on the rise in Belgium having been a standout performer for the side who are third in the league and also through to the last-16 of the Europa Conference League”.
We need a left-back now
Leeds cannot wait until the summer transfer window to sign a new left-back.
Junior Firpo needs to be treated as though he doesn’t exist at Elland Road because he’s either always injured or playing badly. How on earth did he ever get signed by Barcelona, by the way?
Sam Byram has been decent his season but he’s also injury-prone and is currently sidelined, meaning that right-back Djed Spence, who is only on loan at Elland Road, had to start at left-back against Sunderland on Tuesday night.
Archie Gray isn’t as proper right-back but he’s doing well there and Luke Ayling is in his final throes as a Leeds United player so the full-back areas do need to be sorted out.
Brown seems like a good long-term option and he’s definitely one we should look to sign in the summer because a January deal is off the cards thanks to FIFA’s red tape.
It could be costly and would be easier to do as a Premier League club but Leeds still need a new full-back or two in the January window to see out this season first.
In other Leeds United news, Tim Sherwood admits this Leeds outfield player is terrifying.