Leeds defender Pontus Jansson is a reported target for West Ham.
West Ham United are looking to nab Leeds United’s talisman Pontus Jansson this summer, with some reports claiming it will cost the Hammers £12million to sign the colossal defender.
TeamTalk claim 27-year-old Jansson will cost David Moyes’ side a fee believed to be in the region of £12million, with the Sweden international on a contract until the summer of 2022 at Elland Road.
Though £12million for a player in Jansson would be a good price, after the Whites permanently bought the former Torino defender for just £3.5million last summer, Leeds cannot be trusted with a big influx of cash.
Last summer, Leeds sold Chris Wood for £15million to Burnley, and signed Pierre-Michel Lasogga as his replacement but the Hamburg loanee has scored just 10 goals this season – a third of Wood’s tally last term.
If Leeds are resigned to losing the Elland Road favourite to the Hammers this summer, then they should request a swap deal to save them having to delve into the market and risk a Victor Orta failure once again.
Reece Oxford is currently earning rave reviews in Germany as he continues to impress on loan with Borussia Monchengladbach, despite only making six appearances in total.
The 19-year-old would be a fair swap for Jansson, with age on the England youth international’s side and plenty of potential that could see him outgrow the quality that Jansson currently offers Leeds.
Offering pace at the back and a calmness when in possession, Oxford can also play in holding midfield and at right-back if necessary and that would allow Leeds to cover a number of areas without having to spend unnecessarily.
It remains to be seen what Oxford’s future is at West Ham, with the addition of Jansson and the rise of Declan Rice pushing Oxford even further down the pecking order. But a swap deal would surely suit both parties.
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