OPINION
Nottingham Forest are reportedly open to the idea of selling Eric Lichaj in the summer transfer window – and Leeds United must be in the hunt to re-sign the USA international.
The Nottingham Post has reported that Aitor Karanka wants to sign a new right-back in the summer and is willing to offload Lichaj, 29, to make room and clear up some of the wage bill.
It is understood that the former Aston Villa ace is earning around £11,000-a-week on his deal at the City Ground and there is “plenty” of interest in him.
Leeds fans should be hoping that Victor Orta is looking to welcome the defender back to Elland Road as he is currently someone that the club desperately needs with a shortage of full-backs.
Lichaj is naturally a right-back but can play on both sides of the back four.
With Gaetano Berardi’s disciplinary issues being a major problem and Tom Pearce’s contract situation yet to be resolved, Leeds could definitely do with adding another full-back to the squad – especially one who is as experienced in the Championship as Lichaj.
The 14-times USA international played for Leeds on loan in 2011 and made 16 appearances in all competitions, assisting two goals.
For Forest this season, the American scored three goals – two of which against Arsenal – in 28 appearances across all competitions.
It’s clear that he would do a brilliant job for the Whites and Paul Heckingbottom should be encouraging Orta to sign him up as soon as possible with a summer switch on the cards.