Leeds are in desperate need for a new central defender.
Tyler Blackett has reportedly emerged as a target for three Championship sides this week with Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic all keen – and Leeds United must join the race for the defender’s signature.
The Daily Mail claim Wigan have had a £450,000 bid rejected by Reading for the 24-year-old’s services, with Tony Pulis’ Boro and managerless Stoke also interested in the ex-Manchester United defender.
It is the third bid Wigan have seen knocked back for Blackett, who is in the final six months of his contract at the Madjeski Stadium and is likely to leave after three years with the Royals.
Blackett has been first choice for Reading of late, but has missed the Championship side’s last two league games after being sent off with a straight red card against Millwall. He remains banned for one more game.
The England youth international offers versatility – he can also play at left-back – and pace at the back. But what could be crucial if Leeds become interested, is that Blackett is composed on the ball and has the ability to pass out from defence.
Given that Blackett is likely to be available on the cheap – though more than Wigan have offered – Leeds have got to enter the race for the defender in order to give themselves options at the heart of their defence.
Liam Cooper’s recent injury has seen midfielder Kalvin Phillips drafted into centre-back as well as rookie Aapo Halme, alongside Pontus Jansson. Even with all players fit, Leeds lack a centre-back.
Marcelo Bielsa is renowned to prefer a smaller squad, but he has been forced to use a whole host of younger players and it has surely clicked by now that the Argentine needs January recruits to maintain the Whites’ promotion hunt.
Landing Blackett would be an excellent addition to a Leeds side as cover for the likes of Cooper and Jansson, as he fits the mould of Bielsa’s ball-playing style with aplomb.
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