Leeds United are in the market for two new centre-backs in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window, according to a reliable journalist.
Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay took to Twitter to give an update on Leeds’ bid to solve their defensive dilemma following a whirlwind of transfer activity.
Responding to a query from a Leeds supporter on Sunday, Hay reported on his personal Twitter account that he expects to see “at least two centre-backs come in” and revealed that the Championship giants are concentrating their recruitment on the domestic market.
I’d expect to see at least two CBs come in. Looking at the domestic market.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) July 16, 2017
This comes after new manager Thomas Christiansen revealed there will be no let-up in Leeds’ extensive recruitment drive as he continues his overhaul of the squad that finished seventh under Garry Monk last season.
The former Spain international told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We do need to strengthen in the defence. That is a priority now.”
Most of the Leeds arrivals so far are midfielders or attacking players, with Samuel Saiz, Vurnon Anita, Ezgjan Alioski, Mateusz Klich, Caleb Ekuban and Madger Gomes or slotting into one of those two categories.
With 2016-17 loanees Pontus Jansson and Hadi Sacko converting to permanent deals, the only new player who is even remotely defensive is goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald signing from Werder Bremen on a three-year contract.
With Giuseppe Bellusci deemed surplus to requirements and in talks to leave, the only two senior centre-backs are Jansson and Liam Cooper, with the Swede suspended for the opening two matches of the new campaign.
Leeds have been linked with signing a number of centre-backs in recent weeks and it has been reported that progress is being made on two new signings as part of a £4.5million double Championship raid that would provide Christiansen with proven defensive strength ahead of the new campaign.