Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson has been reacting to the club’s reported interest in Aberdeen teenager Calvin Ramsay.
The Lowdown: Leeds keen on Ramsay
The Whites are yet to make a senior addition this month, with Mateo Joseph Fernandez the only player through the door at Thorp Arch for the under-23 side.
RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson is the club’s key midfield target, although Leeds have also been linked with Ramsay. The 18-year-old right-back has been a regular at Pittodrie this season, making 22 appearances, with Elland Road scouts heading north to watch him in action earlier this month.
Reports suggest that Aberdeen want in excess of £6m to part ways with the full-back this month, and Robinson has been giving his thoughts on a potential late move.
The Latest: Robinson’s comments
The 42-year-old, who regularly features as a pundit on Sky Sports, was talking to MOT Leeds News over a possible move for Ramsay.
He labelled the Aberdeen starlet as ‘quality’ but urged Leeds to strengthen in other areas before swooping for the teenager, saying:
“It’s not a lot of money but if you ask any Leeds fan if you want a right-back when you’ve got Luke Ayling, he’s been a top-class right-back for the last three or four seasons.
“Jamie Shackleton can play there, Stuart Dallas has played there. It’s not a pressing matter.
“Okay, signing good young players is always good for the club but they need a centre-half, they need a central midfielder and they need a centre-forward. They are far more pressing issues than a right-back.
“Yes, he’s a top player. Yes, he’s a quality young player who’s up and coming. But it’s not an area that Leeds fans will look at and say that’s what the team needs to improve.”
The Verdict: Spot on
As Robinson says, Victor Orta has bigger fish to fry in the final days of the January transfer window, so a move for Ramsay shouldn’t be a priority.
He could be a future star, but Leeds are well stocked in that department and also have youngster Cody Drameh gaining senior experience on loan at Cardiff City, and he could be Luke Ayling’s long-term replacement.
Orta was after a defensive and attacking midfielder this month, but at this stage it doesn’t look as if he’ll get either, with a move for Aaronson looking more likely for the summer.
He may have something up his sleeve to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield ranks, and if he does, he’ll need to act fast with Monday’s deadline fast approaching.
In other news: Leeds now open to offloading this centre-forward with ‘fast feet’ just days before January transfer window shuts