Leeds could have a very busy summer coming up, one in which they may be preparing for top-flight football for the first time in 16 years.

Victor Orta’s life will be a busy affair regardless of the outcome of this season, with loan players like Ben White and Jean-Kevin Augustin set to leave the club, while even Marcelo Bielsa’s contract is due to expire.

Gaetano Berardi could also leave with the club yet to hold contract talks with the defender, and that may be why they have focused their attention on another centre-back – Oxford United’s Rob Dickie.

The 24-year-old is inexperienced in the top two divisions but has now played more than 30 League One games in the two previous seasons, while also helping Oxford progress to the League Cup quarter-finals earlier in the season.

Whether he’d be able to make the step up and deal with the pressure that comes with playing for the Whites remains to be seen, so our team of Football FanCast writers have had their say on the possible move.

Lewis Blain

“Leeds will be desperate to find themselves a player that can step up in Ben White’s shoes and that may prove to be the hardest task for Marcelo Bielsa this summer, irrespective of what division they will be competing in.

“One thing that wouldn’t be the Leeds way nor would it be wise, is plumping for a player in the lower echelons of English football. There’s no guarantee they can make the monumental jump up into the Championship, let alone the Premier League. 

“Rob Dickie comes under this bracket and he would probably be better off joining another team in the second-tier in order to prove his worth, only then should Victor Orta and co revisit any potential deal. His price may increase in that time, but at least then, they’ll know he’s able to meet the demands of an increase in quality.

“It would be unfair to put the pressure on the 24-year-old, who would have humongous boots to fill at Elland Road.”

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Billy Meyers

“Rob Dickie has been a very impressive performer for Oxford this season, so much so that even Premier League outfits Burnley and Southampton have been eyeing him up.

“He would represent a low-risk signing for Bielsa given the fact that he has under 18 months left on his contract, and will presumably come cheap given that piece of information as well as the level he is playing at.

“Dickie also has international pedigree having represented England at U19 level, and this could be a stroke of genius from the promotion chasers – he could be the Pontus Jansson replacement needed at Elland Road.”

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James Beavis

“One thing The Daily Mail’s Secret Scout said about Rob Dickie last month suggests that he would be brilliant under Bielsa.

“It was noted that he is a player who is determined to pass the ball out from the back – whether it is through the middle or out wide – with precision rather than just hoisting it up the pitch to no-one in particular.

“That trait should mean that the 24-year-old fits in well at Elland Road if he signs, and be able to either effectively partner Ben White next season if the Yorkshire outfit manage to sign the Brighton man on a permanent basis following the conclusion of his loan deal, or as a potential replacement for the Seagulls man who has been so impressive at the heart of the backline of the Championship leaders.”

Kealan Hughes

“Leeds would be wise to wait and see which division they will be competing in before making any transfer plans, but if Bielsa and the team at Leeds see talent in Dickie then he is worth pursuing.

“It is always difficult to find out how lower league players will cope, that was the question hanging over Ben White, but with Bielsa’s trust and guidance he has proved to be one of Leeds’ best players this term.

“Dickie’s manager Karl Robinson has previously described the centre-back as a talent who has a lot of pace, and those attributes could make him perfectly suited to Leeds.”

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