Leeds are still particularly light at centre-back despite the rise of Aapo Halme.
Stoke City are reportedly closing in on the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back Danny Batth for a bargain fee of just £3.5million – and Leeds United have surely missed a trick in overlooking the defender.
The Stoke Sentinel has reported that new Stoke manager Nathan Jones is set to make his first signing since leaving Luton Town for the Britannia Stadium by bringing in the 28-year-old.
Stoke have Ryan Shawcross, Ashley Williams and Bruno Martins Indi as options at the back, but Jones has been unable to find a pairing that works well and the signing of Batth should change that.
But at such a small price, Batth is a bargain having played an important part for Wolves in their promotion to the Premier League last season – captaining the side 20 times in all competitions.
He has huge experience of the second tier of English football – turning out 160 times in the Championship and scoring at a rate of one goal every 13 games with 12 league goals to his name.
While on loan with Middlesbrough this season, Batth has made 13 appearances, helping Boro keep four clean sheets and concede just 11 goals in that time. He is a classy defender at this level, boasting leadership and promotion experience.
£3.5million for the Englishman, then, is an absolute bargain and Stoke are signing a defender that will sure up their back line and could help them have a late run at the play-offs.
Leeds have missed a trick. Lacking in depth, Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson are the club’s only recognised, senior centre-backs. Kalvin Phillips filled in on Saturday with Jansson suspended, while Aapo Halme is still learning his trade.
With the club looking to gain promotion and maintaining their push for a place in the Premier League, Batth’s experience of going up would have been a crucial tool. His experience in the second division and talismanic aura would have helped, too.
For such a small figure, Leeds have certainly missed out on a player that could have been crucial to helping return to the top.
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