Leeds United have reportedly missed out on a deal to sign Sampdoria defender Omar Colley.
A report by Daily Express claims that the Whites were not keen on paying the £13 million that the Italian club demanded. Colley is a 28-year-old Gambian international who has been with Sampdoria since 2018.
Marcelo Bielsa is keen on adding another centre-back in the current transfer window as they currently have just three first-team central defenders in Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, and youngster Pascal Struijk.
With the Whites missing out on signing Colley, let’s take a look at three other players they could target.
3 central defender Leeds United should target
#1 Ozan Kabak
Schalke defender Ozan Kabak spent last season on loan at Liverpool, but didn’t do well enough to earn a permanent deal to the Reds. The 21-year-old defender could be on the move this summer as the German club is interested in letting him go following their relegation.
Leicester City and Crystal Palace are reportedly willing to pay around £8 million for the Turkish international, which is a bargain for a player of his calibre and potential.
Kabak is a strong and powerful defender who is good in the air and likes to be aggressive in his tackling. He has not quite lived up to expectations at Schalke, but could transform his career under the tutelage of Bielsa.
#2 Ethan Ampadu
Another young defender who has a bright future in the game is Chelsea‘s Ethan Ampadu. The 20-year-old has for quite some time been touted as a future Premier League star, but has found opportunities hard to come by.
The Wales international is capable of playing as a centre-back or defensive midfielder, versatility which will impress Bielsa. Ampadu is a player that likes to press and harry opponents, and his speed helps him make key interceptions too.
He spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, where he averaged 2.3 tackles and 2 interceptions per game in the Premier League.
Chelsea may not be willing to sell him, but Leeds could sign him on loan and provide backup to Cooper, Koch and Llorente, and also play second fiddle to Kalvin Phillips in defensive midfield.
#3 Simon Kjaer
From young, exciting talents to an experienced figure. Simon Kjaer, who is currently with AC Milan, could maybe move this summer if he doesn’t sign an extension. He is entering the final year of his contract.
The Denmark captain has yet to play in the Premier League and this season could be his last opportunity to make a move to England.
Kjaer is a leader and organiser at the back, and a towering figure, standing at 6’3″. The 32-year-old is good in the air, places himself in the right position to thwart attacks, and is also a good passer of the ball, especially the long balls to the forwards.
Signing Kjaer will be easier said than done, though, as AC Milan are still exploring the possibility of offering him a new deal.
