Hull City are reportedly close to signing former Leeds loanee Lichaj.
ESPN claim Hull City are closing in on the signing of Nottingham Forest defender Eric Lichaj with only a year remaining on his current contract, but Leeds United should consider an eleventh-hour move.
The 29-year-old is expected to leave the City Ground in what has been a frustrating season under Mark Warburton and Aitor Karanka, which saw the 15-time USA international only make 23 Championship appearances.
It is believed that Hull are in advanced talks to sign Lichaj, with plenty of MLS clubs interesting in luring Lichaj back to the States. However, the defender wants to remain in England with a Championship side.
That should convince Leeds to consider bringing the tough-tackling defender back to Elland Road, after playing for the Whites during the second half of the 2010-11 campaign.
Lichaj offers versatility across the back four, though he is predominantly a right-back, he can help ease the club’s left-back woes as well as adding much-needed cover at the heart of the defence.
The Whites’ January signing of Laurens De Bock has simply failed to live up to expectation, with the Belgian’s early performances way below par. Tom Pearce has replaced him, but Leeds need an experienced head if they want promotion.
Lichaj boasts huge Championship experience, clocking up 189 second-tier outings and is likely to be available on the cheap with Forest expected to want to rake in a fee now rather than letting him go for nothing next summer.
Following a decent spell at Elland Road seven years ago, a more mature, savvy Lichaj would be an excellent Leeds addition and the club should move swiftly in an attempt to beat Hull to his signature.
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