Leeds United are likely to see Isaac Schmidt leave the club soon for Werder Bremen, but not before a replacement is sourced at full-back.
Leeds looked to have their defensive recruitment wrapped up nice and early when confirming Lucas Perri in goal, alongside Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson helping form Leeds’ back four contingent too.
However, Sky Sports journalist Patrick Berger revealed on Monday that Leeds are set to see Isaac Schmidt leave the club for Werder Bremen, agreeing personal terms over a loan move.
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The stumbling block for the Bundesliga club is that Daniel Farke wants to secure a replacement before giving the green light for Schmidt to leave.
Given that Sam Byram is the only backup to both full-back positions if Schmidt does leave, the replacement might have to be capable of playing on both sides of the back four.
Here, we look at three full-backs Leeds should target to replace Schmidt in the coming days or weeks…
James Justin – Leicester City
The most obvious domestic name Leeds should be looking at is Leicester City’s James Justin, fresh from the Foxes relegation and ongoing turmoil regarding PSR.
(REUTERS/Chris Radburn)
Justin, 27, has plenty of experience in the top flight since moving from Luton Town to the King Power Stadium, playing both at right-back and at left-back – according to Transfermarkt, his time on either side of the back four is very evenly split with 110 appearances on the right and 97 on the left.
Ideally for Leeds, there might be opportunity to strike a deal here on the basis that he’s in the final year of his contract at Leicester, who may be under pressure to generate funds sooner rather than later.
At 6ft tall too, he follows the same physical profile that Leeds’ defensive investment has focused on since promotion.
A caveat of course is Justin’s injury record previously having two long-term layoffs, but he only missed two games last season so maybe he’s put those issues behind him.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Lyon
Another English full-back outside of the Premier League that’s playing for a club with well-documented financial trouble is Ainsley Maitland-Niles at Lyon.
(REUTERS/Manon Cruz)
Leeds snatched Lucas Perri for a shrewd £15.6million amidst the French club’s massive debt causing a brief relegation scare, and Maitland-Niles would be another viable solution to Leeds’ full-back search.
Another that can play on both sides of the back four, Maitland-Niles would also be technically secure enough to progress the ball well under Farke, while his schooling as a versatile midfield proves he’s got the engine needed to go both ways.
Ben Johnson – Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town’s Ben Johnson makes up the final name of this list, a full-back who was previously on Leeds’ radar in the Championship before moving to Portman Road on a free transfer.
(REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)
He, like Justin, suffered relegation with the Tractor Boys last season, but has a strong enough sample of games in the Premier League to prove a viable option.
At West Ham, Johnson was a reliable defender on both sides of the back four and can also provide good energy and pace out wide to support the attack.
Again, a relegated player like Johnson might be looking for a quick return to the top flight, even if he’s only a year into a four-year deal with one of the promotion favourites.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!