Leeds would solve their problem area at centre-back this summer with the signing of West Ham stopper James Collins.
The 33-year-old was given a run of games in the Hammers’ first team towards the end of the season, with New Zealand defender Winston Reid undergoing surgery to fix a knee injury.
Here, This Is Futbol analyses three reasons why the experienced defender would bolster the Yorkshire giants as Italian owner Andrea Radrizzani looks to push his side towards the Premier League.
Centre-back must be top priority
A permanent move for Swansea defender Kyle Bartley seems to be becoming less likely, after the former Birmingham and Rangers ace returned to the Liberty Stadium following his season-long loan at Elland Road. That leaves the Championship outfit with just Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson as first-team options at the heart of their defence, and one or even two additions are needed to give Leeds’ next manager options at the back. Collins should be that man, as his experience and defensive qualities could give the Whites the push needed to securing promotion.
Surplus to requirements at London Stadium
The Hammers have an abundance of centre-backs. With manager Slaven Bilic likely to bolster his side in the transfer window this summer, the east London outfit already boast talents including Jose Fonte, Angelo Ogbonna, Reid and teenage star Reece Oxford. Despite Collins’ recent form, he is likely to be offloaded as he sits at the bottom of the pecking order. To prolong his career, the Wales international needs regular first-team game time and he will only find that few and far between at the London Stadium next season. A move to the second tier of English football, then, would prove hugely beneficial to Collins and that could see Leeds profit.
Contract situation
The former Aston Villa defender has just 12 months remaining on his current contract in Stratford, and the Hammers could allow him to leave for a cut-price fee instead of losing him for nothing next summer. That would suit Leeds, who normally prefer to bring players in for nothing or on loan. With Collins likely to be available for a nominal fee, Radrizzani’s next choice as manager would preserve his allotted transfer budget in order to use the left-over money to improve other areas of the squad.