West Bromwich Albion reportedly wanted Leeds United star Pontus Jansson in the summer, and they need to strengthen their defensive options in January.
In what would have been one of the more frustrating reports for Leeds fans to read over the summer, Swedish outlet Expressen reported that West Brom contacted the Whites over a potential move for Pontus Jansson.
Of course, no deal would take place – and Leeds will be particularly grateful that Jansson has not gone anywhere. The Swede has been exceptional since getting his chance in Marcelo Bielsa’s side and is arguably performing better than he has at any other time since arriving at Elland Road.
But that is arguably one of the reasons why Leeds need to prepare themselves for fresh interest in the centre-back once the January window opens.
West Brom have joined Leeds amongst the pace-setters in the Championship, but they are actually the team that boasts the worst defensive record in the top-half of the division.
Should Darren Moore manage to improve his defensive options, the Baggies have to be considered overwhelming favourites for promotion, especially given how lethal they are proving in attack.
And it appears that they have their eye on a new centre-back, with the Evening Express reporting that they had scouts attend Aberdeen’s League Cup semi-final win over Rangers at the weekend to have a look at Scott McKenna.
If they are looking at McKenna, then it should surprise no-one if they decide to consider going for Jansson again in January. The latter is obviously the much more established option and playing some fantastic football at the moment.
Leeds have even more reason not to consider selling Jansson during the upcoming window. His form is significantly better than it was heading into the summer – when they rejected a £10 million bid from Krasnodar, as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post – and the Whites, once again, look set to go into the winter with a genuine chance of featuring in the promotion race.
Nevertheless, Leeds surely need to be prepared for West Brom to come and try and rock the boat, with Jansson seemingly the kind of player that would prove the final piece in the jigsaw at The Hawthorns in the very unlikely even that they got him.
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