Leeds United are now being linked with a short-term deal for Joel Ekstrand but they should instead promote Jack Vann.
According to a report from the Yorkshire Evening Post, a pay-as-you-play deal is being mooted after Leeds United initially backed out of a deal to sign former Watford defender Joel Ekstrand due to injury concerns.
Shortly after those claims were made the former Sweden international’s agent Martin Dahlin was quoted by West Yorkshire Sport as saying talks between the parties continued.
And now the YEP is suggesting that if the player can prove his fitness he may sign with specific conditions in place despite a long-term deal appearing to be dead in the water.
At first glance a pay-as-you-play deal may seem a sensible option for Leeds as they bid to further strengthen their back-line ahead of a vital Championship campaign.
But signing a player for whom major fitness concerns remain, and one who did not feature at all for Watford last season, would be a risk not worth taking.
Leeds manager Garry Monk recently added Kyle Bartley to his squad and he already has Liam Cooper and Sol Bamba, and what he needs is players he can rely on to be fit and ready whenever necessary, not a footballer whose very contract suggests there would always be question marks regarding his fitness and form.
If Monk is looking for a fourth choice centre-back he would be wise to promote from within, with Jack Vann looking a class act despite his tender years, or at least bringing in a player who is one for the future, not a risky short-term fix to a problem that does not even exist.
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