Graham Smyth shares transfer Daniel Farke would ‘kill for’ at Leeds United
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke would “have killed for an experienced midfielder” against Ipswich Town, according to journalist Graham Smyth.
The Whites battled to their first victory of the Championship campaign with an entertaining 4-3 victory over Ipswich Town on Saturday [26 August].
Leeds led the contest 3-1 and then 4-2, but they were made to hold on for a narrow win at Portman Road.
In his review of the match for the Yorkshire Evening Post [27 August], Smyth highlighted the need for midfield reinforcements.
“The Whites came out of Portman Road positively aware of the need to follow up the [Joel] Piroe signing with others,” he said.
“As good as the front line looked, Leeds at times looked shaky at the back and couldn’t quite control the game.
“And though there was finally a game-changing option or two on the bench in the shape of not-yet-quite-fit Crysencio Summerville and Joe Gelhardt, Farke might have killed for an experienced midfielder to come on and steady the ship.”
Experienced option
Smyth’s comments come amid strong reports that Leeds are on the verge of signing Glen Kamara from Scottish Premiership heavyweights Rangers.
According to Fabrizio Romano on Sunday [27 August], an official bid has been submitted for Kamara and the player has already accepted personal terms.
All going to plan, central midfielder Kamara will therefore be part of Leeds’ squad for their home clash with Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday next weekend.
That would plug a gap of sorts for Farke, who used Archie Gray and Ethan Ampadu in the centre against Ipswich – aged 17 and 22 respectively – while later bringing on another teenager in Darko Gyabi.
Kamara has plenty of experience, having featured over 100 times in the Scottish Premiership, as well as playing in the Champions League and representing Finland 52 times.
Once that deal is finalised, Leeds will then likely look to round off their summer spending with one more addition to complete Farke’s squad – a squad that should be more than capable of challenging for promotion.