---
title: "Leeds: Pete O’Rourke makes Kai Wagner claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-pete-orourke-makes-kai-wagner-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2022-08-19T06:42:34Z"
modified: "2022-08-19T06:42:34Z"
---

# Leeds: Pete O’Rourke makes Kai Wagner claim

**Journalist [Pete O’Rourke](https://twitter.com/SportsPeteO?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) has been reacting to [Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/)’s reported interest in Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner.**

### The Lowdown: Wagner links

The Whites appear to be on the search for a new left-back after Junior Firpo’s injury during pre-season. Wagner has been heavily linked with an Elland Road move, with Jesse Marsch thought to be [driving a move](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-jesse-marsch-kai-wagner-transfer-news/) for the German.

[Reports](https://motleedsnews.com/news/leeds-united-may-only-need-to-pay-4-1million-to-sign-kai-wagner-to-solve-left-back-crisis/) elsewhere have claimed that the 25-year-old may only cost around $5m (£4.1m), and O’Rourke has had his say on the Leeds rumours.

### The Latest: O’Rourke’s comments

O’Rourke, talking to *The Transfer Tavern*, said that Leeds are indeed ‘looking’ to bolster their left-back ranks and described Wagner as a ‘very highly-rated player’ who could arrive at a ‘relatively cheap price’ to provide ‘competition’ to Firpo.

> “It’s an area of the team that Leeds are looking to strengthen in before the transfer window closes, looking to bring in a left back to provide cover and competition for Junior Firpo.
>
> “By all accounts, Wagner is a very highly-rated player, so at a relatively cheap price, it could be a deal that makes a lot of sense for Leeds.”

[![Latest Leeds United news!](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-49/)

### The Verdict: Why not…

Leeds have added strength in depth to a number of areas this summer with [six](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transfers/verein/399) senior players arriving at Thorp Arch, so a new left-back appears to be one of the final pieces of the jigsaw alongside a forward.

\[freshpress-poll id=”406556″\]

[Pascal Struijk](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pascal-struijk/leistungsdaten/spieler/410708) has been pushed out to left-back to cover for Firpo, highlighting a lack of depth in that position with the versatile Stuart Dallas also out for the foreseeable future.

Therefore, a move for Wagner, which wouldn’t break the bank, appears to be a wise call, especially with the player seemingly [keen](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-kai-wagner-transfer-gossip/) on a transfer.