The need for a centre-back at Leeds United has increased in recent days, and Daniel Farke’s side may have just been given first dibs on a £10 million Premier League player.
Due to Pascal Struijk’s injury, Ethan Ampadu has been forced to play in the centre of the defence. Struijk could be out until early February but fresh scans are due this week and it might be he is out injured longer.
Max Wober, on the other hand, is still dealing with a knee injury, and James Debayo has only played once in senior football. The Leeds manager sees Josuha Guilavogui as a midfielder rather than a centre back.
Leeds need to sign a centre-back before the end of the window then, and one player being linked with a move to Elland Road is one that has worked under Daniel Farke beforehand, in Andrew Omobamidele.
Leeds now on pole position to sign Andrew Omobamidele
Initial reports that said Leeds were looking to reunite Farke with Omobamidele at Elland Road said that both Leeds and Sheffield United wanted the £10m Nottingham Forest signing, but there is an update.
Farke handed his debut to Omobamidele at Norwich and actually, Omobamidele scored his first goal against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds. Graham Smyth actually expects Leeds to go back in for Omobamidele.
According to the Sheffield Star, Sheffield United are considering a move for Everton’s Michael Keane before the transfer deadline. Chris Wilder’s side is looking for new center-backs, giving Leeds a free run at Omobamidele.
What Daniel Farke has said about Andrew Omobamidele prior
Farke and Omobamidele have a long history together, dating back to their time at Norwich. He is currently struggling for game time.
Nuno Espirito Santo can hardly be blamed for not giving Ireland’s star player more playing time. Forest is on fire, and Omobamidele is not even in the squad, but Farke feels Omobamidele is “outstanding”.
Leeds need a central defender, and Farke’s decision to bring in someone he knows well makes sense. Someone he can quickly trust and hurl to the sidelines if necessary in the race for automatic promotion.
