Leeds United are one of the clubs in talks to sign Leicester City full-back James Justin, with Daniel Farke’s side said to be closing in on the deal.
James Justin could become Leeds United’s ninth signing of the summer. Leeds United News revealed exclusively that the Leicester City full-back is on Leeds’ radar. He will add to Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Sam Byram.
Since then, Justin and Leeds are closing in on an agreement. Having had highs and lows with Leicester over the last six years, Justin arguably needs a fresh start at Leeds.
They are now closing in on the deal to bring him in. Not only that, but Justin’s mentality is to become a Leeds starter, be that in place of Bogle or Gudmundsson at left-back or right-back.
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty ImagesThe latest regarding Leeds and Leicester City’s James Justin
Leeds have advanced in talks but it does not appear a deal is imminent. A concrete fee regarding a deal for Justin is yet to materialise, but Everton also wanted Justin for £6 million earlier in the window.
Marti Cifuentes has already dropped hints on Justin’s Leicester future, but he remains a Leicester player. Justin is in the final year of his contract and they may well be open to selling, but it’s not a done deal yet.
Not only did Justin start during Leicester’s game against Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday afternoon, but the full-back was named as captain once again.
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Leicester lost the clash 2-1 and Justin played 77 minutes for the Foxes. It could well be his last game for the club, should Leeds accelerate talks over the coming days.
However, a potential spanner in the works is that Leicester took the player off and reported it was an injury. It’s unclear yet if it’s merely precautionary but it could impact a deal if it’s anything serious.
Justin and Bilal El Khannouss started against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and the same was the case today at Deepdale.
Photo by Malcolm Bryce – LUFC/Leeds United via Getty ImagesWhat a move for James Justin means for Sam Byram at Leeds United
Justin’s versatility is what Leeds fans want and is evidently what the Elland Road recruitment team and hierarchy are keen to bring in, too.
Byram can also be utilised on both flanks, but he is not the quickest and he also turns 32 next month. Therefore, having Justin to cover left and right-back pushes Byram to third-choice right-back and third-choice left-back simultaneously.
Leeds fans already have Byram reservations regarding his suitability to the Premier League at his age and with his lack of athleticism. Having more than one versatile option, therefore, makes sense for Leeds.
Justin may not be the player he once was pre-ACL issues, with his potential not fulfilled from the early promise shown at Luton, but he will improve upon Byram and Isaac Schmidt.