West Bromwich Albion are reportedly interested in signing Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson.
Jansson has been a superb signing for Leeds. Initially brought in on loan, he quickly established himself as a cult-hero with his full-blooded challenges and willingness to celebrate a well-timed tackle as if he had just found the back of the net.
After signing permanently, the Swede endured a much more difficult time at Elland Road. The 27-year-old struggled to recapture his form from that first season and Leeds looked considerably more vulnerable than they had done the previous year when Kyle Bartley had been on loan and had formed a superb partnership alongside Jansson.
The former Malmo ace returns to Leeds for pre-season off the back of a tremendous summer however, as Sweden reached the quarter-final of the World Cup before being beaten by England. The centre-back played the full 90 minutes of their victory over South Korea but was only on the pitch for another five minutes during the competition.
Expressen reports that West Brom have now made contact with Leeds over a potential move for Jansson – though it seems extremely unlikely that the Whites will be willing to sell one of their key men to a side that has joined them in the second tier.
The Whites are already lacking depth at the heart of their defence so it would be a major surprise if Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta had any intention of considering an offer from the Baggies for Jansson.
It remains to be seen however, how the Sweden international feels about the admiration coming from Leeds’ Championship rivals.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
