Leeds United pushing to sign £30k-a-week Leicester City star | OneFootball

Leeds United are reportedly interested in the signing of Leicester City defender James Justin this summer.

Leeds United and Leicester City swapped divisions over the summer, with Leeds winning the Championship and Leicester relegated from the Premier League, and now Leeds are reported to be targeting Leicester’s James Justin ahead of the new campaign.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds have embarked upon a very busy summer transfer window already in terms of incomings as they seek to try and ever being dragged into the relegation battle in the top-flight this season.

They have already brought in goalkeeper Lucas Perri, defenders Jaka Bijol, Sebastian Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson, as well as Lukas Nmecha, Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach.

Leicester, on the other hand, have had to endure slow going in the market, with Ruud van Nistelrooy not officially departing the King Power Stadium until late-June, amid suggestions they could be handed a points deduction by the EFL.

Former Queens Park Rangers boss Marti Cifuentes is now in situ at Leicester, and the Foxes have been able to make one new signing since that appointment with former QPR goalkeeper Asmir Begovic joining on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Everton.

However, as Leicester look set to head into the Championship season with a bit of uncertainty with regards to the make up of their squad, that has now been increased due to rumours over Justin’s future.

Leeds chasing James Justin from Leicester

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Leeds United are ‘pushing hard’ to sign 27-year-old Leicester City full-back James Justin.

It has been suggested that the former Luton Town man is viewed as a potential replacement for defender Isaac Schmidt, with the Swiss right-back set to move away from Elland Road.

There is reportedly ‘serious interest’ from Leeds in the signing of Justin, with it now expected that Farke wants to bring in extra cover at both right and left back.

Justin, who earns an estimated £30k-a-week at the Foxes, is someone who is capable of playing in both positions, with the defender, who has been capped by England, having an impressive versatility that has made him a standout defender for Leicester at times.

During his stint at the Foxes, which began in 2019, Justin has gone on to make well over 150 appearances for the club, and helped them win the FA Cup in 2021, as well as the Championship title in 2024.

Uncertainty for Leicester ahead of the new season

The off-field issues with that potential points deduction is a major concern for Marti Cifuentes and Leicester, with supporter expectation still that they mount a promotion challenge this season.

Club legend Jamie Vardy departed at the end of his contract last year, and there are still a few players expected to depart in the final month of the summer transfer window, too.

Mads Hermansen is believed to be the subject of interest from West Ham United, whilst Bayer Leverkusen have apparently shown an interest in attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss. Centre-back Caleb Okoli could move on.