Leeds have closely monitored capped centre-mid at EFL club – report
Leeds United have been closely monitoring Oxford United’s Shandon Baptiste this month, according to talkSPORT.
The broadcaster claims that Newcastle, Rangers and Brentford have also been keeping tabs on the 21-year-old but as it stands, it seems as though Celtic are in pole position to sign him.
It is understood that the reigning Scottish champions have tabled a £3million bid to sign the one-time Grenada international, who was born in Reading.
TalkSPORT adds that Celtic remain in talks over a deadline day deal for the central midfielder and it seems as though Leeds are going to miss out on him despite watching him closely.
Baptiste has made 25 appearances for League One club Oxford this season, scoring four goals and supplying four assists in the process.
He can play on the left-wing but the majority of the 21-year-old’s outings have come in the heart of the Karl Robinson’s midfield.
Leeds could do with some added strength in depth to their central midfield options but Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed this week that the Whites will not be doing any more transfer business in January.
The fact that Bielsa does not expect Leeds to sign anyone does not mean that they are not still looking at potential recruits, but what it does mean is that if the Whites are going to sign Baptiste then they are more than likely going to have to wait until the summer.
However if Celtic are able to agree a deal with Oxford before the transfer window slams shut in Scotland on Friday night, then Leeds might miss out on the midfield ace all together.
In other Leeds United news, it has been confirmed that Victor Orta has held January talks with a chairman of a League One club.