Leeds United midfielder Glen Kamara has reportedly agreed personal terms with Rennes.
Kamara is someone Leeds are reluctant to lose this summer but speculation in France is continuing to grow that he could be on his way out after just one season.
Following Archie Gray’s move to Tottenham, Leeds have already lost their only other box-to-box midfield option, and so losing Kamara would leave them very short.
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev would be Leeds‘ only two recognised midfield options, though both do their best work when just in front of the back four.
So with Kamara potentially on his way out, here are three midfielders Leeds should look to target in order to reinforce that area of the pitch.
Oliver Skipp – Tottenham
An obvious one to start given the interest that is already there is Tottenham midfielder Oliver Skipp, who finds himself even further down the pecking order in North London after Gray’s arrival.
Leeds tried to include Skipp as part of the deal that took Gray to Spurs but were told no. That does not mean a deal is completely out of the question, though.
Skipp is well known to Leeds manager Daniel Farke having worked together at Norwich City, and the two share a strong mutual respect for one another.
Potential Premier League interest could scupper a deal if Skipp is allowed to depart, but Leeds’ hope would be Farke can tempt him into the Championship.
While Skipp is not necessarily the goalscoring midfielder Leeds need, partnering him with Ampadu would give Farke the strongest pairing in the league by a distance.
Lewis O’Brien – Nottingham Forest
Perhaps a more realistic option is Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien, who again looks set for a move to the Championship this summer.
O’Brien had a decent campaign on loan at Middlesbrough last season and is also attracting interest from Norwich and Luton Town, as per Alan Nixon.
The 25-year-old is very much in the mould of a box-to-box and does have a better eye for goal than Kamara, who is renowned in the fanbase for his reluctance to shoot.
Leeds have been linked with O’Brien for the last few summers now but has never ended up at Elland Road. Perhaps this window could be different.
Gabriel Sara – Norwich City
Undoubtedly the most ambitious option is Norwich’s Gabriel Sara, who may well be out of reach for Leeds this summer due to still being in the Championship.
Sara is likely to cost upwards of £20 million but is exactly what Leeds need in midfield, having registered double figures for goals and assists last season.
However, with Gray gone for £40 million, profit to be potentially made on Kamara, and others such as Crysencio Summerville linked with big money exits, Leeds need some marquee replacements.
Sara can play as a number 10 or eight and given Leeds are in need of both, he would kill two birds with one stone. If Leeds get this done, it would be incredible.