Leeds United need a new center-back with experience for next season’s Championship campaign under Daniel Farke.
Farke recently hinted at a need within Leeds, pointing out the lack of a player like Ipswich captain Sam Morsy. Leeds’ squad lacks regular starters over the age of 27 or 28, a critical factor for the team’s success.
Junior Firpo and Glen Kamara are often the oldest on the field, except when injury-prone Patrick Bamford and Sam Byram are fit, though even then, Bamford and Byram might not be selected to start.
Leeds desperately need experience and new center-backs. Liam Cooper is likely to leave on a free transfer, hoping for a new contract despite the club’s failure to get promoted. Joe Rodon is also not expected to stay at Elland Road, as a Championship club would struggle to afford a player of his caliber.
Southampton could offer a solution for Leeds in Jan Bednarek. Following their victory over Leeds in the play-off final at Wembley, Russell Martin will need to bolster his squad to avoid relegation and might sell a few players, including Bednarek.
Alan Nixon of The Sun reports that Southampton might “cash in” on Bednarek, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract despite playing 47 times last season. Bednarek’s seven-year tenure could end this summer if the right offer comes in.
Bednarek is precisely what Leeds need in central defense. The team lacked experience and height from set-pieces last season, two critical areas for Championship promotion. Set-pieces can make a significant difference against defensive teams, a weakness Leeds faced this season.
Bednarek would replace Rodon, adding height, set-piece prowess, and extensive experience at both Premier League and Championship levels, all for a relatively low fee, given his £5m cost.