As Leeds target Tommy Elphick reportedly eyes Villa exit, is grass greener at Elland Road?

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Leeds United are hoping to rescue centre-back Tommy Elphick from Championship rivals Aston Villa in the January transfer window.

After being sent off in a 2-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough in an EFL Cup clash in September, Tommy Elphick was forced to wait another three months to make a first-team appearance for Aston Villa.

In fact, it was only an injury to skipper John Terry that handed Elphick an unexpected reprieve in December. And while the 30-year-old impressed hugely in four Championship fixtures around the festive period, he dropped immediately out of the side again once Terry returned.

So it comes as no surprise to learn that Elphick could be on his way out of Villa Park this month, as reported by the Birmingham Mail.

Aston Villa are keen to cash in on a number of fringe players to fund new additions while the report adds that the defender, who captained Bournemouth to promotion in 2015, would like to leave in search of more game time.

But would he get what he desires at Leeds United? The Sun (23 January, page 55) stated that Leeds are interested in offering Elphick an escape route and could be willing to pay £2.5 million for a player they were hoping to sign during the summer.

First-team opportunities, however, will not be so easy to come by at Elland Road either. Pontus Jansson (below) is one of the first names on Thomas Christiansen’s team-sheet while Liam Cooper, prior to his controversial red card in Saturday’s 4-3 defeat to Millwall, had made good strides this season.

And the Yorkshire Evening Post reports that Leeds are also hoping to tie down Everton loanee Matthew Pennington on a permanent deal.

Elphick should remember, then, that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.