After what has been a busy summer transfer window already, Leeds United have officially welcomed their next new addition. The Whites have already signed eight players this summer, including two new attackers in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha, who scored on his debut against Everton.
Now, Daniel Farke’s side added their third forward. It was reported a few days ago that Leeds are close to agreeing a deal to sign Noah Okafor from AC Milan. The Switzerland international will now join the club from the Italian giants for a reported fee of £17m.
With just ten days or so left of the window, it may seem that Leeds’ business will finish at Okafor, but they may yet make another signing.
Leeds’ next signing after Okafor
Leeds’ recruitment this summer has been smart, bringing in a couple of free transfers and not paying over £20m for a player.
Bilal El Khannouss, a player strongly linked with the club, would have exceeded that with his reported £32m fee, but the Leicester City star is also being lined up by Crystal Palace.
Instead, a report from Simon Jones at the Daily Mail suggests that Leeds are looking at pursuing a deal for another Foxes star, versatile full-back James Justin. The Whites are said to be ‘assessing a move’ for the 27-year-old who has just one year left on his contract at the King Power Stadium.
However, the Yorkshire side are not the only Premier League club in for Justin this summer, with Everton also considering a late move for the defender. As for how much the deal would cost, it was reported earlier in the window that Justin could be available for a cut-price fee of just £6m.
Why Justin would be a good signing for Leeds
Despite struggling with major injury issues at times during his career, England international Justin would bring a plethora of experience to a Leeds side looking to stay in the Premier League.
Last season was not easy for Leicester, with the Foxes suffering from yet another top-flight relegation. He played all but two games in the Premier League, chipping in with two goals, including a stunner against Arsenal, and two assists, showing his attacking output from full-back.
In the top flight, he has regularly chipped in with goal contributions, with last season’s four the best of his career.
The stats show just how strongly he has performed in the Premier League. His all-round contributions have always been consistent, and at his best, he averaged 1.2 key passes per game in 2019/20, and 4.2 tackles and interceptions in the same season.
|
Justin’s PL career (per 90) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Chances created |
Tackles & interceptions |
|
2019/20 |
1.2 |
4.2 |
|
2020/21 |
0.9 |
4 |
|
2021/22 |
0.8 |
3.5 |
|
2022/23 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
|
2024/25 |
0.4 |
3.2 |
|
Stats from Sofascore |
||
If Leeds acquire Justin this summer, he could well be the dream signing for Okafor. The Switzerland star has struggled for consistency, spending the second half of last season on loan at Napoli, but barely featuring, making just four appearances.
Yet, at his very best, the attacker can be lethal. In the 2021/22 campaign for former club RB Salzburg, he scored 14 goals and assisted 11 in 34 appearances. That season, he operated as a striker more often than not, but also featured off the left.
Well, Justin has proven he can be a consistent chance creator in the Premier League. If he can start getting those chances flowing for Okafor, then the forward could explode in the Premier League.
Each player’s versatility is also key. Leeds’ prospective new attacker can play on either flank, just as Justin can. This offers interesting tactical flexibility for Farke; he can perhaps switch his winger and full-back pairing at will to build their relationship on the pitch, whilst maximising the strengths of other players on the pitch.
A strong creative option and a “colossal” defender, according to Statman Dave, Justin could be an excellent addition for Leeds. With the versatility and creativity he offers in the final third, this could make him a dream signing for Okafor. At just £6m, this seems to be a steal for Leeds.
