Leeds chiefs’ reluctance to sign Andy Yiadom seems smart decision

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Leeds United are reportedly keen on signing Andy Yiadom on a free transfer in the summer.

According to the Sheffield Star, the Leeds hierarchy are yet to be convinced that Andy Yiadom is the kind of player that they want to target this summer despite Paul Heckingbottom’s desire to get the full-back through the door.

The Star reports that the 26-year-old is available on a free transfer in the summer with his Barnsley contract set to expire following their relegation from the Championship.

Victor Orta has not exactly got everything right since arriving at Leeds as director of football, but perhaps the club’s reluctance to sign Yiadom this summer is a smart move despite the boxes he ticks.

And he does tick quite a few boxes. Yiadom boasts Championship experience, is versatile and Heckingbottom clearly feels that he can rely on him, and the fact that he is available on a free transfer means signing him will leave some Leeds fans feeling that targeting a deal should be a no-brainer.

However, for all the plus points, there have to be questions regarding whether Yiadom would be an important addition. He is either set to become Leeds’ fourth right-back or the latest right-footed player to be deemed the Whites’ first-choice left-back.

On current ability, Yiadom arguably rivals Luke Ayling for the first-choice right-back spot. But if Ayling is capable of rediscovering his previous form when the new campaign begins, the Ghana international should be relegated to second choice, and that is a place that Lewie Coyle has arguably earned as he continues to show promise. Gaetano Berardi as an understudy is certainly not a terrible option either.

If the plan is to move Ayling into the middle, then the pursuit of Yiadom arguably makes a lot more sense. And Heckingbottom’s target is arguably a lot better on the left than Berardi or Vurnon Anita tended to be, but there have to be question marks surrounding whether he is strong enough in that role to be a regular starter for a side that want to be challenging for promotion.

It may prove to be an excellent move, but with right-back looking, on paper, to be the area of the squad where Heckingbottom probably does not need to make changes this summer, perhaps the Leeds hierarchy are right to be wary of looking to add Yiadom to the ranks.