Leeds United and Norwich City in battle to sign EFL gem as transfer update shared

Leeds United are one of three Championship clubs - along with Norwich City and Stoke City - who want to sign Port Vale youngster Karl Agnero, according to TEAMtalk.

TEAMtalk reported on 1 October that the Whites, Norwich and Stoke are all monitoring the 16-year-old midfielder's progress with fellow EFL club Port Vale's U18s side, for whom Agnero has caught the eye.

Agnero recently made his first-team debut in the EFL Trophy, and United are reportedly preparing to step up their interest in the teenager and sign him to their well-renowned academy setup at Thorp Arch.

Leeds United need strong academy with a tough season ahead

United's track record of youth player development is one which many clubs will envy, with the latest cab off the rank being Archie Gray, who moved to Tottenham in July for a £40million fee.

Gray is far from the exception which proves the rule, but was one of few players to come through the Thorp Arch system who was given regular minutes in the first-team last season.

This time around, however, it looks as if Daniel Farke will be having to lean on academy products due to injuries which are already starting to mount in his lean first-team squad.

Ethan Ampadu's long-term knee injury leaves James Debayo as the first option to cover Joe Rodon at centre-back, while Mateo Joseph, signed from Espanyol's academy in 2022, is leading the line up front.

That's no suggestion that Agnero – if he were to sign – would be thrust into first-team action this season, but if he's brought into the fold of an academy which is set to be tested this season, he could soon be making waves at Thorp Arch.

In other Leeds United news, Daniel Farke has expressed concerns over one United star's future ahead of the January transfer window.

For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.