The departures of Luke Ayling and Djed Spence may open the door for a signing.
By the end of the January transfer window, Leeds United’s full-back ranks might be much thinner. Djed Spence has already returned to Tottenham Hotspur after his season-long loan was terminated earlier than expected (BBC Sport).
And another departure is possible, with Middlesbrough interested in signing Luke Ayling (Sky Sports). Even if Ayling stays over the January deadline, his long-term career is in jeopardy as his contract at Elland Road expires in the summer.
All of this may compel Daniel Farke to enter the market to restock his options, and a fresh name has emerged on the Whites’ radar.
Farke’s difficulty could be solved by Roberts.
Welshman Connor Roberts progressed through the Swansea development system before joining Burnley for £2.5 million in 2021 (Sky Sports). He’s made 86 appearances for the Clarets, including 14 this season.
While Roberts has started eight Premier League games for Vincent Kompany’s newly promoted club, he has recently slid down the pecking order, failing to make the XI for any top-flight encounter since late October (Transfermarkt).
Leeds will be hoping that, in light of this downturn, Burnley will be willing to part ways with Roberts in this transfer window. Sunday Mirror Sports News Editor Darren Witcoop believes Whites fans should “keep an eye on” a “potential deal” to sign Roberts if Ayling does join Middlesbrough. Leeds are “looking for a new full-back” after parting ways with Spence, and the Burnley man is emerging as a strong contender.
Roberts has Championship and international credentials.
Roberts may have left Burnley, but with his extensive Championship experience, he might be a valuable asset to Leeds. He’s played 173 games at that level (Transfermarkt), and when he’s on form, he looks like one of the finest players in the division.
Last season, Roberts scored four goals and supplied six assists to help Burnley achieve promotion as champions, earning him a berth on the PFA Team of the Year. Farke will be aware of this, and he will be hoping that it means Roberts can make an immediate impact.
Of course, getting him to drop down a level would be a chore, but that’s where Leeds winger Dan James may help. Roberts commented about his tight friendship with James during their time together at Swansea in the Wales World Cup camp in Qatar in late 2022.
“We all sit together, eat together, we do everything together when we’re in camp,” he explained to ITV Wales. “For me to see DJ [James] and Joe Rodon do really well, having seen them growing up playing for Swansea City – I’m not doing too bad – but to see my mates doing brilliantly, being a part of something amazing and playing for their country, is something special.”
That was Roberts‘ second big tournament with his country, and he has already surpassed the half-century mark (54 caps). He shown his ability to rise to the occasion by scoring for Wales in a 2-0 victory over Turkey at the last European Championships.
