Championship

Three players Karanka could sign for Leeds

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Leeds United are on the hunt for a new manager following the surprise resignation of much-loved chief Garry Monk last week.

A host of high-profile names have already been linked with filling the vacant managerial role at Elland Road, including ex-Premier League duo Claudio Ranieri and Aitor Karanka.

But it is the former Middlesbrough chief that is the hot favourite to succeed Monk, after he was installed as the bookmakers’ favourite ahead of Ranieri, Nigel Pearson and Alan Pardew.

An appointment cannot yet be considered imminent, but if Karanka were to become the new Leeds boss, This is Futbol names three players he could be looking to sign:

Adam Forshaw

A raid of his former club Middlesbrough, who will be joining Leeds in the Championship next season, appears a likely prospect.

The 25-year-old midfielder was a regular first-team player under Karanka at Middlesbrough last term, and could be tempted into following his ex-boss to pastures new.

Leeds are not short of options in the midfield, but it remains to be seen how a new manager will view the current crop, and there could be possible changes.

Forshaw can perform in central, defensive and attacking midfield roles, which will give Karanka some flexibility with his tactics and preferred roles, while he has a proven track record at Championship level.

George Friend

The left-back position could be a particular area of concern for Karanka, with Charlie Taylor destined to leave the club, and few quality alternatives within the current squad.

Gaetano Berardi did a job there last season, but Karanka may seek out a trusted full-back of his own, and he could turn to Middlesbrough’s George Friend.

The well-travelled 29-year-old can also provide Leeds with an option at centre-back, but his main duties at Elland Road would ultimately lie in the left-back region.

A tall defender, Friend is strong in the air, while he is also an adept crosser, making him a valuable addition on the overlap in the attacking third.

Joselu

A winger with a decent level of product could be an important addition, and Karanka could consider someone like Stewart Downing, but a goalscorer must be a top priority.

Chris Wood is the premier goalscorer at Leeds, but the club has few similarly prolific options in the attacking third, and a new striker must be procured if Leeds are to earn promotion next term.

Given Middlesbrough’s lack of goals last term, he should not consider a return to Riverside on this particular occasion, but a possible return to Real Madrid.

Karanka served as assistant manager at the Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013, and oversaw a number of young goalscorers rising through the ranks.

At that time, current Stoke City forward Joselu was breaking onto the fringes of the first-team setup, and will be a player Karanka knows a fair bit about.

Joselu, 27, has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League with Stoke, and was sent out on loan to Deportivo La Coruna last term in a bid to rediscover his form.

But he is a capable goalscorer, and Leeds should consider a possible move if he is made available again this summer.

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