Football League World
·27 November 2024
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·27 November 2024
The pundit has been speaking exclusively to FLW about the Whites' recent interest in the Swedish left-back.
Carlton Palmer has backed Leeds United to make a daring move for Swedish left-back, Daniel Svensson, in the January transfer window with Junior Firpo's contract situation still no closer to a conclusion.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have all previously scouted the 22-year-old, but according to Fotboll Direkt, the Championship side are the latest club to have taken an interest in the current Nordsjaelland star.
Their current left-back, Firpo, is due to leave the club at the end of his current deal, which is due to expire in the summer of 2025, and he has stated in the past that he wants to know the Whites' ambitions before putting pen to paper.
Therefore, it is crucial that Leeds identify and bring in a new player to fill the role quickly before it is too late, and they are left short. There is also the further issue that, from 1 January, Daniel Farke's current option in the position can talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contractual agreement ahead of next season.
Although there is potential interest from some of England's top sides, a move for Svensson is doable, especially with the Yorkshire club's current position.
The Whites went to the top of the Championship on Sunday evening after beating Swansea City 4-3 in a dramatic game in South Wales, and they are showing signs that they are more than ready for a return to the Premier League.
For player-turned-pundit, Palmer, a move for the Sweden international would be a superb one, and speaking exclusively to Football League World, he has explained his thoughts on the saga.
He told FLW: "Leeds United are casting their eye on left back Daniel Svensson. It's an ambitious swoop for Leeds if, in fact, they do go ahead with it, with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool interested in Svensson, who's a versatile figure. He can operate at left-back or as a central-midfield player.
"He's seen his stock rise of late. He plied his trade in Denmark with Nordsjaelland and the way he's played this season has led the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal to be interested in the 22-year-old.
"Unfortunately, when you look at those clubs it’s great that they're interested in you, you won't want to leave where you're playing, and he’s been playing regularly where he's played, every minute of the season so far. You want to move somewhere where you're going to play."
Palmer continued: "The issue that Leeds United have is Junior Firpo's contract is up at the end of the season. He's been outstanding for Leeds United again in the Championship, but he struggled in the Premier League. So, on that basis, you wouldn't have thought that Leeds United would be rushing to offer him a contract.
"He's believed to be on really good money, so you wouldn't see Leeds rushing to offer a new contract when they're looking to get back to the Premier League, so the likelihood is perhaps that Junior Firpo will leave the club in the January transfer window and Leeds United will have to look to bring in a replacement with Daniel Svensson high up on their to-do list.
"It would be a really, really good signing if they could pull it off."
A key part of Svensson's game is his versatility, and he could come in handy if Leeds suffer an injury crisis at any point if a move is made. He is able to play in the middle of the park, in a holding role and at left-back, a factor that could be crucial.
The 22-year-old, however, is a constant threat on the left flank and enjoys sprinting up and down the wing to help his team attack, while he is also competent defensively.
It can be said that the Swedish star is a more modern-day left-back, but that is very similar to Firpo and finding a younger version to fit straight into Farke's system could be the perfect way to make any loss of the Dominican Republic international not felt.
Making an early move for a player with the quality that Svensson possesses would be a statement to the rest of the Championship and Leeds' promotion rivals, and at just 22-years-old, he could be a star at Elland Road for the years to come.