Daniel Feliciano

Thu 1 February 2024 9:03, UK

Leeds United have made an offer to sign Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall on loan for the rest of the season, according to The Mirror.

Writing on his personal Twitter account (1 February), journalist James Nursey reports that the Whites and Sheffield United both made a bid to sign the centre-back on loan and offered to pay a fee and his full wages to get a deal done.

But Forest knocked back the bids as they want a permanent sale if they are to allow him to leave the club before the 11pm deadline on Thursday, leaving a deal seemingly dead in the water.

Shock

That’s a surprising move, because it’s a full-back that Leeds need moreso than a central defender during this transfer window.

Luke Ayling and Djed Spence both left the club during the window which has left Daniel Farke light at right-back, with Sam Byram being an option on the left while midfielders Archie Gray and Jamie Shackleton have played regularly there too.

But Worrall is a fantastic defender and a top Premier League option, so bringing him into the club would no doubt improve the squad and help bolster the chances of promotion this season.

Offering a loan fee and the coverage of wages shows that Leeds were serious about bringing him in and making a signing on deadline day, but Forest are struggling with FFP and a transfer fee would help them more.

Ultimately the deal now looks highly unlikely, but hopefully the boss will be able to bring in another defender instead with talks underway for Burnley’s Connor Roberts according to reports.

In other Leeds news, deadline-busting deal on for international Premier League defender.

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