Further cover in the centre of midfield is clearly on the Leeds United wishlist this summer, even after Brenden Aaronson’s arrival. The lack of cover in the middle of the park was laid bare throughout the season as injuries left holes that couldn’t be filled by other members of the squad.
In the knowledge that Adam Forshaw will only just be recovering from his injury and that Stuart Dallas will still be out of action at the start of next term, it is essential that further cover is recruited. In recent days and weeks, Lewis O’Brien and James Garner have been heavily linked with moves to Elland Road on the back of impressive seasons in the Championship.
Either of those two may well make the move to West Yorkshire this summer and including them, we have put together a list of young midfielders that Leeds could target this summer.
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Lewis O’Brien
Starting with the man who has been on the radar at Leeds for at least a year, Lewis O’Brien could be available for a price that suits Victor Orta after Huddersfield Town missed out on promotion. Their defeat to Nottingham Forest at Wembley has put the 23-year-old in the shop window with a number of Premier League sides said to be interested.
The Whites had a few bids turned down for O’Brien last summer with the largest of those totalling £13m. Given the season he has just had and the contract he signed back in September, a larger sum would likely be needed but he could still be available for a decent price.
James Garner
One of the other stand-out midfielders in the Championship was James Garner who spent the season on loan at Forest from Manchester United. Following Steve Cooper’s side’s promotion to the top flight, they will undoubtedly want to make his move permanent which will provide competition for Leeds.
Other Premier League clubs are said to be monitoring the 21-year-old’s situation and it is still unclear what the plans for him look like at Old Trafford. While it would be tricky to agree a deal, he would bring a bit of everything to Jesse Marsch’s side as a true, old-fashioned all-action midfielder.
Conor Gallagher
A move for Conor Gallagher would be much tougher but would provide the kind of ambition Leeds supporters hope to see from the club’s owners. Like Garner, he enjoyed a brilliant season on loan but may well be part of the plans at his parent club, Chelsea.
To tempt the Blues into parting ways with one of their most promising young players, a hefty sum of money – that the Whites might not have - would have to be offered. Although, if there is any indication that Gallagher is keen on more playing time than he is being offered at Stamford Bridge, teams such as Leeds must be ready to take advantage of it.
Teun Koopmeiners
Looking outside of English football, Teun Koopmeiners is a player that would satisfy the need for another high-quality central midfielder at Elland Road. He is also a midfielder equally proficient going forward as he is defensively with plenty of appearances coming for Atalanta in front of the defence in a similar role to the one played by Kalvin Phillips.
Although, unlike the England star, he has the capability to affect the game in the opposition’s final third, something Leeds have desperately missed since returning to the Premier League. With four goals and one assist, he wouldn’t be top goal scorer but his ability on the ball, particularly his progressive carries and passes would bring much-needed creativity to a Whites side lacking exactly that.
Yacine Adli
Finally, a player who would perhaps suit the Leeds midfield better than anyone mentioned on this list. 21-year-old Yacine Adli has been brilliant in Ligue 1 over the last couple of seasons for Bordeaux and could well be on the move this summer.
He finished the campaign with a goal and eight assists from a slightly more advanced role whilst also finishing in the first percentile for pressures among central midfielders in the major European leagues (as per fbref ). His progressive passing stats are also mightily impressive which paired with his assist numbers and high-intensity pressing style, he would suit exactly what Marsch is looking for.
He was signed by AC Milan for €10m last summer before being loaned back to Bordeaux. While that might worry fans that the Italian champions wouldn’t be willing to sell the 21-year-old, they are looking to bring more centre midfielders to the club this summer which could force Adli further down the pecking order. Should an offer be received by Milan that they deem too good to turn down, they may well look to offload the youngster.
