"May not come cheap" - Leeds United targeting permanent Burnley transfer deal | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Leeds United are keen to sign Connor Roberts on a permanent deal, according to TEAMtalk.

The Welshman arrived from Burnley on loan during the January transfer window - and it was seen as a great deal considering he was part of the Clarets' Championship-winning team last season.

Knowing what it takes to secure promotion from this level, and being a much-needed addition with Luke Ayling and Djed Spence departing during the winter, the right-back looked like an excellent short-term signing.

Bringing the 28-year-old in on loan too, it wouldn't have cost the Whites a huge fee to recruit him and he could play a big part for Leeds between now and the end of the season.

During such a tight automatic promotion battle, Roberts will be keen to be a crucial figure.

Unfortunately for Roberts, he has had his game time limited by wonderkid Archie Gray, who has adapted to the right-back spot extremely well after starting the campaign in central midfield.

However, the 28-year-old scored an equaliser against Leicester City back in February and with the West Yorkshire side going on to win that game, that moment could have been vital in their promotion quest.

Considering his lack of game time, could he be a poor permanent addition? Or is someone of his experience required? Two FLW writers have weighed up whether the Whites should recruit Roberts for the long term.

Adam Jones

There may be more suitable alternatives out there.

With the Wales international's contract at Turf Moor not expiring until the summer of 2025, the Whites would have to pay a fee for him and he may not come cheap.

Roberts may only be a backup option to Gray, so bringing in a cheaper addition for depth could be useful, because that may enable the Whites to spend more on other areas.

With Ayling almost certainly leaving at the end of the season and Gray being linked with a move away from Elland Road, bringing in a right-back during the summer will be vitally important.

Roberts could be a suitable addition as someone who has Premier League experience, but you have to wonder whether there are cheaper alternatives out there.

If he does come in permanently though, he could help to push Gray's game to another level, so he wouldn't be a bad signing if he isn't too expensive.

Ben Wignall

At the time, Roberts was a very solid signing and considering he actually started the 2023-24 season starting for a Premier League side, some would say it was a coup.

The Wales international was influential in Burnley's promotion-winning campaign last season, so there was perhaps an expectation there that Roberts would be getting regular football upon his arrival in West Yorkshire.

That has not been the case though thanks to Archie Gray's performances at right-back, so Roberts has had to once more settle for a spot on the substitutes bench - although he has had plenty of cameos under Daniel Farke.

A permanent move all depends on if Roberts is happy enough playing second fiddle to Gray should Leeds go up and if Farke sees the teenager as a right-back in the top flight - he would face a different test altogether in that position against the likes of Luis Diaz, Jeremy Doku, Gabriel Martinelli and players of that ilk, so the Leeds head coach may opt for more experience in that position instead.

If that is going to be the case, then Roberts would be a solid enough signing and he wouldn't cost a massive fee you'd think, with Burnley well and truly moved on from him.

Of course, Leeds won't want to stunt Gray's development, but first and foremost his natural position is that of a midfielder, so moving back in the engine room next to Ethan Ampadu next season would allow Roberts to come in - that is a move that United should already be exploring.