Leeds United are looking to get back in the Premier League after being knocked out in the Championship play-off semi-finals last year, and have been active in the transfer market.
The Whites have concluded three loan signings – Ben White from Brighton, Helder Costa from Wolves and re-signed Jack Clarke, who was sold to Tottenham Hotspur but returned to Leeds on a one-year loan.
Marcelo Bielsa must add more players to his side to strengthen the team and add depth to the squad before the start of the 2019-20 Championship season. But one player whose exit rumour got stronger by the day was central defender Pontus Jansson.
A couple of days back, Journalist Phil Hay had reported that there had been a bid from another English club for a fee of £5.5 million and that Leeds will accept the bid. Hay further went on to say that the team management were unhappy with Jansson’s attitude and that the deal would go through in the next two days.
Offer on the table for Pontus Jansson from another English club and his exit from Leeds United set to be confirmed in the next 48hrs. Told the bid is £5.5m.https://t.co/yCHbQoNkoI
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) July 6, 2019
And according to Leeds’ official website, Jansson has completed his move to Brentford. Here we will take a look at 3 possible options who could replace the experienced central defender.
Dan Happe
Dan Happe is an unknown name to most non-Premier League fans, but he is a highly-rated central defender who has been trailed by clubs like Tottenham recently, as well as Norwich City and Leicester City, to name a few. Leeds are keen admirers of the 20-year-old centre back who currently plays for Leyton Orient in League 2.
A player who is strong and quick, Happe has built up quite a reputation over the last year or so of being a dependable and reliable central defender. The youngster could be bought for under £500,000 and he could be a very good buy. The 6’5″ defender is great in the air and can be an aerial threat in both boxes.
Ashley Williams
Ashley Williams’ three-year spell with Everton ended in the 2018-19 campaign as he fell down the pecking order at the Merseyside club and was released at the end of the season. The Welsh captain could be a very shrewd signing by Leeds as he is someone with vast amounts of experience and is also a leader at the back, which could have a great influence on the rest of the young Leeds side.
Williams, at 34 years of age, perhaps has 1-2 more years to offer at the top level, and one last run to help a side get to the Premier League could be a good way to end his playing career.
Michael Hector
26-year-old Chelsea defender, Michael Hector, has not made a single appearance for the London club since signing from Reading in 2015 and has been sent out on loan four times – to Reading, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday.
He played in the Championship in the last two seasons and impressed for both Hull and Sheffield Wednesday and could once again be put on the loan market. A good tackler, Hector anticipates opponent’s passes well and makes key interceptions. In the Championship last season, he made an average of 2.1 tackles a game, 1.5 interceptions, and 5.4 clearances per game.