Reports are suggesting that Ross McCormack and Tommy Elphick could make shock moves to Leeds United from Championship rivals Aston Villa.
It has been a quiet and, in truth, disappointing transfer window for Leeds United . Only Belgian left-back Laurens de Bock and Japanese midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi have arrived at Elland Road so far and the latter will not be seen until next season at the earliest, joining Cultural Leonesa on loan to earn a work permit.
But the window could be about to explode into life for Leeds. Because the Sun states that the Whites have plans in place for a £7 million raid on promotion rivals Aston Villa.
The Sun (23rd January, page 55) states that Leeds are keen to bring one-time fan favourite Ross McCormack back to West Yorkshire for £4.5 million, and are also interested in Villa centre-back Tommy Elphick, who is valued at £2.5 million.
Leeds fans may have their doubts about this eye-catching double deal. McCormack might be in sensational form during a loan spell at Melbourne City right now, netting 14 goals including a couple of real stunners, but the fact he is currently playing in Australia is a reminder of just how poor he was at Aston Villa.
Elphick, meanwhile, has never really lived up to expectations since moving from Bournemouth in 2016. Prior to a decent run in the side around Christmas, prompted by an injury crisis, the 30-year-old was completely out of favour.
So while both deals would represent a risk, there are some positive signs that director of football Victor Orta has learned his lesson.
Orta has been criticised for bringing in cheap imports with no Championship experience, but Elphick and McCormack are both proven at this level.
The former captained Bournemouth to promotion while the latter has scored prolifically in the second tier, including at Leeds.
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