Leeds United transfer latest: Rodon update, Gnonto replacement eyed as West Ham circle, Liverpool defender linked | OneFootball

Leeds United could be facing a potentially busy end to January, with Djed Spence already returning to his parent club Tottenham Hotspur and Luke Ayling joining Middlesbrough on loan, highlighting the need for incomings.

The Whites are among the favourites for promotion this season and things have started well in their first second tier campaign in over three years. It sees them sitting fourth in the Championship with Daniel Farke at the helm.

It was an incredibly busy summer for the club in terms of departures and recruiting replacements, with many in Leeds' squad keen to continue their careers in the top-flight, and others needing to be moved on to help trim the wage bill at Elland Road.

Signings are going to be on the agenda again for Farke and the club's hierarchy, and matters on the pitch during the second half of the campaign could be dictated by what is to come in the market during the final few weeks of the window.

Leeds fans will be hoping that Joe Rodon stays on at Elland Road beyond the end of the current season, but the latest reports suggest that the centre-back will be quite an expensive target should Whites transfer chiefs press to make him their own.

Rodon joined on loan in the summer from Tottenham and has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the division, as well as a firm fan favourite in West Yorkshire.

According to Football Insider, the Whites are said to be working on a move to sign Rodon on a permanent deal from Spurs following his impressive temporary spell so far this season.

Having broken through the ranks at Swansea City, Rodon was courted and subsequently bought by Tottenham, though the likes of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven alone are the clubs primary options, whilst Ben Davies and new recruit Radu Dragusin are also ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, the report claims that a deal will be unlikely to be completed, with Tottenham asking for a huge price in comparison with what Leeds are willing to bid this month. Leeds would 'prefer' to have an agreement in place over a full-time move for the defender 'as soon as possible'

Though, despite the Welshman entering the final 18 months of his deal with Spurs, they state that Rodon could leave for a fee rising to £20million, especially if Leeds do go on to achieve promotion.

Willy Gnonto links to West Ham gather pace

Recent reports stated that West Ham United have taken an interest in the 20-year-old, according to a report from SportsLens. The Irons took an interest in him during the summer - but were unable to get a deal over the line then and will were said to be keen to see whether Leeds' stance has changed.

Fresh reports have emerged since, with Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri claiming that Leeds are now expecting the sale of Gnonto before the end of the transfer window to David Moyes' West Ham United.

However, he also has revealed that if Leeds accept an offer then they already have a replacement in mind, which comes in the form of Burnley's Manuel Benson.

Benson is also wanted by Hull City and Southampton, and the 26-year-old has found game-time harder to come by in the top flight of English football after starring in the Championship last season.

Vincent Kompany stocked up on a number of new wingers over the summer that jumped ahead of Benson in the pecking order, and he has featured just four times in the Premier League this term, with one start.

Leeds are said to be eyeing a move for Liverpool youngster Calvin Ramsay this January. according to the print edition Daily Mail (18/01, page 69), the Whites have shortlisted the right-back as a potential signing this month as they eye defensive reinforcement.

Leeds are looking a little light at full-back at the moment, especially with the departures of Luke Ayling and Djed Spence, but also due to persistent injuries to Junior Firpo, Jamie Shackleton, and Sam Byram as well.

Ramsay spent the first half of this season out on loan with Preston North End, where he featured just twice. The defender struggled for game time in Ryan Lowe’s side, leading to his return to Anfield.

The Premier League side recalled the full-back, and could now loan him out again this January.​​​​​​, with the Championship the most likely destination, and Leeds a potential option.