The international break was a working holiday for Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa, who made personal checks on versatile Luton right-back James Justin, according to the Sun’s transfer expert.
In the print version of the Sun on Sunday (October 21, page 61), Alan Nixon claimed that Bielsa went in person to watch England Under-20 Justin, who can play at right-back or further forward in midfield.
The report also claimed that he was the only domestic boss at the England Under-20 win against Italy last week.
He was there checking on Leeds left-back Tom Pearce and other January targets.
Leeds were after Justin last season too under former manager Thomas Christiansen.
News outlet Football Insider claimed that he had made an approach for the right-back after senior defender Luke Ayling suffered a season-ending injury.
OPINION
Justin is a really exciting talent who’s already made 76 appearances for Luton despite his young age. His versatility makes him even more attractive and it seems that Bielsa agrees with former manager Christiansen’s opinion on the youngster. He’s impressed for the England Under-20s and it was reported that Brighton wanted him last season too. The really good news is that Bielsa is obviously busy preparing a shortlist of targets for the January window. He was also at the England Under-20s win against Italy looking at potential new recruits and that bodes well for the second-half of the season. Leeds are in a rut at the moment and need new blood if they’re going to stick in the top six of the table this season. Nine points out of the last 21 isn’t promotion form and Bielsa needs to minimise the damage now and bring in players in January who can revitalise the team. It’s not a crisis yet but they need a swing in fortunes.