Leeds United want to sign Burnley defender Connor Roberts as Luke Ayling replacement with club open to offers
Leeds United want to sign Burnley defender Connor Roberts to replace the outgoing Luke Ayling and Djed Spence this month, according to The Mirror.
Writing in their live transfer blog (10 January, 14:09), the news outlet report that the 28-year-old right back is available for transfer with Vincent Kompany willing to cash in as he has fallen down the pecking order at Turf Moor.
Daniel Farke wants to sign a new full-back after sending Spence back to Tottenham early from his loan, while Ayling is set to join Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of the season before his contract expires in the summer.
“Burnley will consider offers for Leeds-target Connor Roberts this month,” they wrote.
“Burnley are prepared to let Roberts go because the Wales defender has slipped down Vincent Kompany’s pecking order and he has not started since October.
“Leeds like Roberts and are looking for a right-back, having sent Djed Spence back to Tottenham and with Luke Ayling’s Elland Road future uncertain.”
Deal to be done
There is quite clearly a need at Elland Road for a new right-back to come in after what has happened this month, and Roberts could be a good bit of business.
Farke seems to be keen on using Archie Gray as his first-choice right-back for this campaign and with Sam Byram the first-choice left-back and Jamie Shackleton a midfielder, options are slim for the second half of the season.
Roberts knows the division well having been promoted with Burnley just last season, and at 28-years-old he is in the prime of his career.
He hasn’t played much this season so may need time to get sharpness and fitness back, but Farke will be getting an experienced professional into the squad in a time of need.
There is clearly a deal there to be done with Burnley open to it, so hopefully it can happen sooner rather than later rather than leaving it for a rush at the end of the window.
In other Leeds news, Jose Mourinho stance emerges as Leeds loanee could make ‘Surprise’ January transfer.