Leeds United are already making some moves ahead of the January transfer window. However, it seems like they have hit a setback in their pursuit of a defender.
Leeds attempt to move for Frederick Alves
According to Football Insider, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been in contact with the representatives of 20-year-old centre-back Frederick Alves Ibsen to try and persuade him to head to Elland Road.
However fellow Premier League side West Ham United have been interested in him for a while, and it looks like Leeds’ attempted swoop for the player will fail, as he is close to completing a £1.4 million deal to the London side.
Should the Whites be disappointed with this news?
The 20 year-old plays his football in the Danish second tier currently and has racked up 50 senior appearances in his career. It is hard to believe that he will go straight into the Hammers first team and was reportedly going to be integrated into the academy setup first.
It would have probably been similar for Leeds – perhaps he could have been a long-term replacement for key man Liam Cooper, who is now approaching his thirties and has struggled with injuries at times under Marcelo Bielsa.
However, while the move might have been a good one for their future – his potential is highlighted by the fact that there were multiple sides keen on him – Leeds would have multiple targets for the position, and it won’t be too hard for Bielsa to move on and look for an alternative.
In other Leeds news, find out what will happen with Jack Harrison next summer (according to Phil Hay) here!
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