Leeds United ready transfer action for European target ahead of deadline day | OneFootball

Versatile full-back Isaac Schmidt of FC St. Gallen is reportedly a target for Leeds United.

Key Takeaways

Leeds United are reportedly set to submit a multi-million-pound bid to sign Isaac Schmidt from FC St. Gallen before the transfer window closes.

That's according to Swiss outlet Blick, who state that he is a target for the Whites, with the versatile full-back a potential option during the final day of the transfer window. Whilst Mike McGrath of The Telegraph has outlined that Leeds are close to an agreement.

It’s no secret that Daniel Farke wants more competition for the left-back role, as Junior Firpo is the only specialist senior option at the club, with Sam Byram filling in there for much of the 2023/24 campaign. The likes of Cody Drameh and Jamie Shackleton were also utilised there last term, but have both exited the club, whilst Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, and Connor Roberts' departures have also left Leeds short of full-back options.

Given that Firpo is the only left-footed left-sided full-back on Leeds' books, that is an obvious area of concern, as Farke and the club have highlighted. Depth is needed there, and although Max Wöber could yet stay, and Pascal Struijk has also played there, a specialist would allow for them to stay centrally in their preferred role of centre-back.

The latest comes following reports that Leeds are unlikely to sign AFC Bournemouth full-back Max Aarons this summer, according to Graeme Bailey. Aarons is a favourite of Farke, having enjoyed a fruitful relationship with him at Norwich City.

Bailey revealed to Leeds United News that he believes the Cherries won't let the player leave unless they receive a sizeable bid for him. The Whites made a move for Aarons last summer, but Bournemouth ended up beating them to Aarons' signature.

Another option emerged yesterday, with Dutch media outlet ad.nl reporting that the Whites were targeting Owen Wijndal of Ajax ahead of Friday’s 11pm deadline, despite the fact that a deal was not likely to be straightforward. However, Graham Smyth has since poured cold water over those reports, stating that Leeds are not in for the 24-year-old.

Leeds are in a difficult position with a back-up left-back, as they will know that they are the understudy to Firpo. Therefore, the best solution is to acquire someone who could be happy to be second fiddle, when Firpo requires resting or if he is out of action during what is a long 46-game league campaign.

Leeds have not given up on the idea of adding a left-back this summer, with Schmidt the latest to be linked with a move to Elland Road. The 24-year-old has been on the books at St. Gallen since the summer of 2022 but still has two years left to run on his deal.

Blick report that the Swiss defender is high on the Whites’ shopping list. The versatile full-back could depart the Swiss Super League for West Yorkshire with Farke’s side ready to pay a multi-million transfer fee for him in the final two days of the market.

Although he is on Leeds' transfer radar, the full-back has already made eight appearances for the Swiss side this season in all competitions and is a key player for the side who finished fifth in the top-flight last season.

Much like Byram, the Swiss full-back is versatile enough to play on either side of the back line and has operated largely as a left-back in his career, despite being right-footed.

He could be deployed as either a right-back or left-back for that reason, providing cover for both Firpo and Jayden Bogle.

Mike McGrath is reporting that a deal for Schmidt is edging towards a conclusion, although the player has a Europa Conference League play-off game tonight against Trabzonspor. Leeds are said to be close to an agreement despite that.

In Firpo, Leeds already have a good, attacking left-back, and you would probably be in a position where both Schmidt and the ex-Barcelona man expect to play week in, week out.

Unless he is happy to cover both positions in a crisis, as competition with Byram, who has also struggled with injuries himself. However, the Swiss footballer is right-footed, and a left-footer would help to provide more balance.

That way, Byram and Bogle cover one side, whilst Firpo and someone else cover the other. As for Schmidt, he is super quick and has an excellent engine, which should provide something a bit different to Byram if he comes into the side.

Despite being right-footed, more of his career has been at left-back, meaning he may be adept at the width-holding role even when playing off of his weaker side. Firpo is excellent at providing that and stretching the pitch as he overlaps.