Leeds reignite interest in former target but face battle with two Prem rivals
Leeds have taken an interest in one of their former targets but face a battle with two of their Premier League counterparts, according to a report.
The Whites have shown no lack of ambition in their recruitment since returning to the top flight. Last summer they spent nearly £100m on new singings, including the marquee addition of Spain international Rodrigo. But their window this year hasn’t been as grandiose.
Junior Firpo and Jack Harrison have been the two deals of note, whilst young Norwegian ‘keeper Kristoffer Klaesson has also joined the club.
There’s just two weeks to go until deadline day for the Yorkshire club to further strengthen their squad.
And according to Football Insider, one man they are targeting to do just that is Queens Park Rangers centre-back Rob Dickie.
Dickie was eyed by Leeds prior to the start of the 2020/21 season. But it was QPR who picked him up from Oxford United.
Dickie has risen through the ranks in recent years. Having come through the academy system at Reading, he gained League Two experience with loans at Cheltenham and Lincoln City.
He then made the jump to League One and after two and a half seasons with Oxford, stepped up again to the Championship.
His performances last year for the London side attracted Premier League attention. Newcastle were said to be interested back in May.
Now this latest report claims Leeds are joined by Wolves in closely monitoring the defender.
This comes as little surprise. The 25-year-old won three end of season awards at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium last campaign.
Not only did he pick up both Players and Supporters Player of the Year, but he was also awarded the Goal of the Season gong.
As such, they are reported to be reluctant to lose him. However, late interest could see him leave for pastures new.
Dickie could provide Leeds much-needed consistency
Dickie would certainly be a handy addition to a Leeds backline which struggled for consistency last year.
Marcelo Bielsa recruited centre-back duo Diego Llorente and Robin Koch during his preparations for his side’s first season back in the Prem.
However, both had long-term injury problems which often restricted Bielsa to just two conventional options.
That pair, Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk, started the season opener against Manchester United at the weekend. Neither surpassed 30 league appearances last season, though.
In Dickie, Leeds would have a physically commanding defender who has not been absent through injury for over five years.
He also offers a goal threat. Remarkably, he has scored in each of the first three games of the season.
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