He just received a promotion.
Leeds United and the 49ers Enterprises are apparently looking to sign a 27-year-old defender this summer.
Leeds Transfer News
The Whites and 49ers Enterprises have recently been associated with a number of players, including Fulham attacker Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who has emerged as a potential challenger to Joel Piro. He netted six goals in 17 Premier League appearances in 2023/24, and a move is being considered since he appears to be available for free in the coming weeks.
If Leeds fail to gain promotion from the Championship, they may look to the loan market, and Chelsea youngster Alfie Gilchrist is expected to join Elland Road soon. This season, the 20-year-old made 11 league games and scored his first senior goal for the Blues, which was a memorable occasion for him.
There is a risk that the Whites will lose star youngster Archie Gray, of whom so much is expected in the future, and West Ham utility player Ben Johnson might be set up to replace him at right-back if the teenager departs for pastures new in the summer window.
The 24-year-old will almost surely leave West Ham on a free transfer this summer, and he might be an astute addition given his Premier League experience. However, Daniel Farke would undoubtedly prefer that Gray stay put.
Leeds and the 49ers prepared to buy a 27-year-old defender.
According to Sportbladet [via MOT Leeds News], Leeds and the 49ers are interested in signing St. Pauli defender Eric Smith this summer, potentially competing with West Brom.
According to the source, the Whites are “prepared to buy Smith” for next season, following an excellent performance that saw his side promoted to the Bundesliga.
Smith may be a relative unknown to Leeds, having played in the second division of German football, but there is much to admire about him as a player.
The 27-year-old made 26 starts in the Bundesliga. In 2023/24, he played two games and established himself as a crucial role in St. Pauli’s defence, averaging 2.1 clearances and 1.8 aerial battle victories per game in the competition. He even added one goal and three assists for good measure.
Smith also demonstrated his versatility by playing twice in midfield for his current club, and his ability to thrive in a variety of positions could appeal greatly to Farke as he seeks to add depth and quality to his Leeds squad ahead of their return to the Premier League in August.
At 27, the Swede could be arriving at Elland Road at the peak of his career, with a Transfermarkt worth of €4 million (£3.4 million) now at a career high and certain to rise more in the coming years.
