This time of year, retained lists are published and plenty of Premier League clubs have waved goodbye to a number of players and one of those clubs to do so is Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, the Leeds squad is starting to look as though recruitment will be required on the right of the defence and in the middle of the back line, among many other positions come the summer window.
At right-back, Connor Roberts has returned to Burnley and the hope is that next season, Archie Gray will be used in the middle of the park instead of playing as an auxiliary right-back such is his huge potential.
Sam Byram has penned a new one-year deal while Jamie Shackleton is in talks to extend his contract. But realistically, Byram and Shackleton are being kept for cover at Elland Road going into the new campaign.
At centre-back, Leeds also need additions. Joe Rodon’s contract at Spurs has been extended by another 12 months, and it is unclear if he will rejoin The Whites while Liam Cooper only remains in talks at Leeds.
Leeds need defensive additions and one player released by Tottenham can help both defensive issues:
Tottenham release the ideal Leeds signing on a free transfer
Spurs have chosen to release 25-year-old defender Japhet Tanganga on a free. The England U21 man leaves Spurs after playing 50 times at senior level, but enduring a bit of an up and down 2023-24 season.
Indeed, Tanganga went on loan to Bundesliga side Augsburg last summer but failed to play due to injury and was back at Spurs in January, and then sent to Millwall where he impressed and even scored twice.
The Mirror’s journalist Darren Witcoop reports that Millwall want to sign him permanently, but Luton and Ipswich are also interested. Leeds have surely got to join the race to land “powerful” defender Tanganga.
Ipswich will have the advantage but he’s ideal for Leeds
Not only would Tanganga provide cover in two crucial areas, but he would arrive for nothing when Leeds need cash the most. The 49ers have inherited a big credit card bill that will force them to sell this summer.
Bringing in replacement for nothing helps them achieve that and it is not as if Tanganga is any drop off in quality. A player that is easily good enough to play in the Premier League, still only 25, available on a free.
Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League will make them favourites but if Leeds can show Tanganga he would be first choice going into the 2024-25 season, then surely The Whites have a chance of his signing.