Leeds United are being linked with a move for a Championship defender this summer and reports claim that The Whites, among other sides, will need to splash £8m to land his signature.
The Whites are expected to be in the market for a new right-back this summer. Sam Byram has penned a new one-year deal, but Jamie Shackleton’s deal is due to expire even if Leeds remain in talks to extend it.
Connor Roberts has returned to Burnley and Archie Gray’s future is in the middle of the park. So Leeds need a new right-back this summer in what is likely to be a tumultuous summer with many players going.
The 49ers need to bring in some signings and still make a tidy profit in order to help balance the books and comply with Financial Fairplay. A few bargains, frees and loan deals could be the order of the day.
Leeds have been linked with one Championship right-back in the last 24 hours and his price tag has now emerged ahead of the summer window, with The Whites needing to pay a fee of £8m to sign the player.
Leeds told they need to spend £8m for ‘exceptional’ Trai Hume
The player in question is Sunderland and Northern Ireland’s right-back Trai Hume. The right-sided star has been a regular for The Black Cats over the last couple of years, playing every league game last season.
That is whether it was at right-back, left-back, centre-back or even in midfield. Naturally, the “exceptional” defender is a right-back and he would be a superb signing for Leeds if The 49ers can land his signature.
Reports state, however, that a deal will be difficult given Aston Villa, Leicester, Napoli and Bournemouth are also interested. The Belfast Telegraph claim that Leeds and those clubs need to spend £8m for him.
Max Aarons could play a key part in Leeds move to sign Hume
Hume will know a move to Aston Villa or Napoli would see him be a back-up player, and the chances are it might be similar at Leicester given the presence of Ricardo Pereira and James Justin at the King Power.
Bournemouth might be the next-best option for Hume this summer, but even The Cherries have a right-back of their own in the form of £12m man Max Aarons. A player that almost joined Leeds a year ago.
Indeed, The Cherries hijacked a Leeds move for Aarons with Daniel Farke confident of a reunion with the former Norwich man. If Bournemouth are best-placed, Aarons could tempt Hume to choose Leeds.