James Tavernier spent seven years in the academy of Championship giants Leeds United – they should consider battling Sunderland and Reading in January.
If you had suggested just a few months ago that Leeds United could do with signing another right-back you’d have been greeted by cries of derision.
Luke Ayling was arguably the best in his position in the Championship last season, a consistent, ever-present performer who looked like one of Leeds’ finest signings in recent memory. In truth, however, the former Bristol City ace has not been quite the same this campaign, at fault for a few goals and looking a little weary at times.
That is perhaps understandable, however, considering he plays virtually every minute of every game and has no real competition with Lewie Coyle spending the season on loan at Fleetwood Town.
But with Rangers willing to listen to offers for James Tavernier in the January transfer window, as reported by The Mail, should Leeds consider bringing back a player who spent seven years in their academy between 2001 and 2008?
The Bradford-born flyer never featured for the first-team at Leeds, instead moving to Newcastle United before making his debut for The Magpies, but would surely be a welcome addition to Thomas Christiansen’s squad if a return was on the cards.
The report states that Championship rivals Sunderland and Reading are keen and a January deal is possible with only 18 months remaining on his contract.
And Tavernier would give Leeds something different. Ayling has scored none and set up four since the start of 2016/17 – for Tavernier that tally rises to four and eleven.
Tuttomercatoweb reported that Leeds were interested in striking a January deal for Genoa’s Aleandro Rosi but Tavernier is four years younger, knows the league and offers a real threat in attack that none of Leeds’ current full-backs can match.
And he has some unfinished business at Elland Road.
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