It’s no secret that Leeds United manager Daniel Farke wants to operate with a small group.
So, while high-quality reinforcements are always welcome at Elland Road, it appears doubtful that Farke will start making demands for fresh arrivals during what he expects to be a ‘calm’ transfer window.
Meanwhile, the size of Nottingham Forest’s roster would drive Leeds United’s manager crazy.
While Premier League surprise packages have not been as active in the market as they once were (no fewer than 30 players arrived in their first few months after promotion back to the Premier League in 2022), Forest still have the luxury of calling on the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Alex Moreno, and Taiwo Awoniyi from the bench these days.
And, while his loan from West Ham United is not working as planned, Ward-Prowse is now making the matchday squad.
In comparison, Andrew Omobamidele has not played a single minute of Premier League football in 2024/25. While the former Norwich City defender has struggled with injuries, Omobamidele was unable to secure a starting spot under Nuno Espirito Santo.
With Murillo, Morato, Willy Boly, and Nikola Milenkovic already at the City Ground, the Republic of Ireland international is just Nottingham Forest’s fifth-choice center defender.
Leeds United interested in Nottingham Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele
Forest would not stand in his way, then. Leeds United began talks to reunite Farke with Andrew Omobamidele in early January.
While promotion rivals Sheffield United are also interested, the Farke factor may still play a significant impact in Omobamidele’s decision.
After all, Leeds’ manager gave the 22-year-old his senior debut at Carrow Road. Mid-season moves are sometimes risky for both the club and the player, but Omobamidele should have an easier time adjusting to life in Yorkshire given his prior familiarity of Farke’s systems.
And, in a move that should push Omobamidele even farther away, Brazilian daily Revista Colorada reports that Nottingham Forest has begun talks with Internacional to transfer Vitao to English football.
Vitao, a long-time target of the two-time European Champions, is expected to cost roughly £8 million. That is the cost Real Betis would have paid over the summer, but the arrangement with Internacional fell through due to the La Liga club’s financial difficulties.
Don Goodman has reservations about Omobamidele at Elland Road.
Omobamidele, who is said to be worth £10 million, would bring plenty of Championship experience to Elland Road while also bringing much-needed defensive depth to a side that currently has just three natural, senior centre-halves.
“Daniel Farke knows Andrew Omobamidele,” claims former Sunderland, West Brom, and Wolves striker Don Goodman, who has doubts about a possible move to Elland Road. “He was a decent Championship defender for Norwich.
“However, he hasn’t cut it at Nottingham Forest, and I’m not sure if he’s an improvement on what Leeds United presently has or if they truly need him for depth.
“[But] it’s an interesting link. Daniel Farke understands him better than I do, and if Omobamidele signs, it will be due to the manager’s understanding of his abilities.”
