As per one of the latest reports by Sky Sports, Leeds United are nearing a deal to sign Laurens De Bock and it is understood that the defender has arrived in England for his medical to finalize his move to the Elland Road. Leeds United have been active in their endeavours in the January transfer window, having signed Yosuke Ideguchi and Aapo Halme and it looks like they are desirous to add a few more names to their arsenal.
The Whites are unarguably one of the sides looking capable enough to earn a promotion to the Premier League. Under the stewardship of Thomas Christiansen, they have collected 43 points from 26 games and are currently placed at the 6th spot in the league table. However, the animosity in the second half of the season would increase manifold and it would be crucial for them to chalk some shrewd deals this month.
De Bock emerged through the youth ranks of HO Kalken, Standaard Wetteren and Lokeren and was promoted to the senior side of the Tricolores. He was signed by Club Brugge in the January transfer window of 2013 and has played in excess of a century of games for the Belgian outfit. He is a left-back by trade and has the experience of having played in the Champions League and the Europa League.
However, the 25-year-old has been handed merely 4 starts in the Jupiler League so far this season and has made a total of only 8 appearances across all competitions and he must be eyeing to make a move to a side wherein he would have more chances of playing regularly. Leeds United should be an exciting option for him.
Charlie Taylor’s exit made the Peacocks a bit weak on the left, although Gaetano Berardi has been decent in the aforesaid position. A bit of competition for the place should spice up the scenario for better and De Bock certainly has the pedigree to do the same. He is a quality fullback and despite his lack of experience of English football, he could be a great coup.
The Yorkshire-based outfit might have completed two moves already, but Ideguchi has been loaned out to Cultural Leonesa for the rest of the season owing to work permit issues and Halme is unlikely to be used in the first-team so soon. Thus, Leeds United must leave no stone unturned to complete the signing of De Bock in order to beef up their squad.