Leeds United’s failure to keep their form intact last season in the Championship, particularly during the business end of the season which cost them a place in the play-off of English second division football. Under the tutelage of former manager Garry Monk, the Whites succumbed under pressure and just when it mattered the most and they collapsed like a house of cards to dampen the mood of the fans.
It goes without saying that fortifying their squad over the course of the summer would hold paramount importance and someone like Thomas Christiansen, who is entrusted with the responsibility of taking the Yorkshire based club forward, would leave no stone unturned to pass the baptism of fire. He needs to be shrewd and has to acquire right men to get the job done.
If the latest reports are to be believed, Leeds United are plotting a move to lure Granada’s centre-back Sverrir Ingi Ingason to Elland Road for a fee which is believed to be around £2 million. The Peacocks need to tighten the screws at the back and their latest interest in Ingason makes perfect sense.
The 23-year-old was signed by Granada in the January transfer window earlier this year and despite the failure on the part of the Nazaries to remain aloof of relegation, he emerged as a silver lining for the club last term. A player of his calibre is likely to look for an exit after relegation and the promise of better wages could make him move to England.
While Christiansen’s side have Pontus Jansson, they would need a decent package to work with at the heart of the defence. Kyle Bartley, who thoroughly impressed during his loan spell, has returned to his parent club Swansea City which leaves a void to be filled as early as possible. A tall, strong and commanding centre-back like Ingason would be a decent coup for Christiansen and would be a smart replacement for Bartley.
The 23-year-old mustered 17 appearances in La Liga for Granada, whilst which he registered 1.8 tackles, 1.9 interceptions, 5.9 clearances and 0.6 blocks per game on an average and also clocked a healthy pass accuracy of 80.8%. He is strong aerially, is technically very gifted, and clears the ball every time a danger arises makes sharp tackles whenever necessary. The Icelander is still in his learning days and given the calibre he has shown so far, he is seemingly likely to see an upward trajectory in his career.
Statistics Credits: Whoscored