Leeds United already have options at right-back – which makes their move for Fleetwood Town player Conor McLaughlin slightly surprising.
Fleetwood Town’s Conor McLaughlin is out of contract this summer
It is difficult to gauge the transfer activity in the early days of Andrea Radrizzani’s ownership of Leeds United. Poland international play-maker Mateusz Klich is already in the bag while others are also reported to be on their way to Elland Road sooner rather than later.
That said, they are hardly household names. Therefore, it is almost impossible to tell what sort of impact they would make in English football – or whether they would make the grade at all.
At least Leeds’ latest reported target, Fleetwood Town right-back Connor McLaughlin, is a little more familiar with English football. The 25-year-old, who represented Northern Ireland at Euro 2016, started his career at Preston North End and has played his football on the North West coast for the last five years.
The Sun claim that McLaughlin is a target for Leeds when his Fleetwood contract expires this summer. However, while he would have far further to travel if making the move, questions remain.
Namely, would McLaughlin actually improve Leeds’ starting XI? Or merely swell the size of Thomas Christiansen’s squad.
The 22-time international was in fine form last season under former Whites boss Uwe Rosler at Fleetwood, helping The Cody Army defy expectations by finishing third in League One before losing out to Bradford City in the play-off semi-final.
However, he has only played seven Championship games in his career and is largely unproven at a higher level. Therefore McLaughlin would arrive with questions surrounding his ability to perform in the second tier of English football.
Do they need him?
Furthermore, the right-back position is one of the few areas Leeds are not in desperate need of reinforcement this summer. Luke Ayling was one of the most under-rated signings in the Championship last season and, in the eyes of some supporters, was Leeds’ most consistent player in 2016/17.
Luke Ayling of Leeds United
Plus, the versatile Gaetano Berardi is more than capable of filling in at right-back. Therefore, all signs point to McLaughlin being a useful squad player.
And Leeds need more than this if they are to challenge for the top six again.
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