Leeds United fans are certainly fancying their chances of getting their place back in the Premier League as early as the next season after the brilliant work Garry Monk has been doing since taking over the club in the summer. The Whites are flying pretty high in the Championship right now and should they keep their good run form, a playoff spot is the least they could hope for.
Garry Monk will certainly do everything in his powers to ensure that heads don’t drop at Elland Road and ideally should bring some new faces in the upcoming January transfer window. A position that is craving for reinforcements is left-back. Charlie Taylor’s contract is up for expiry in the summer of 2017 and he is still stalling on a contract which should make Leeds plan ahead.
Considering how highly-rated he is, he should not find it hard to get into a Premier League club next season and if Leeds fail to achieve promotion, it’s unlikely that he will sign an extension.
Even if Taylor signs a new deal, Leeds are short on numbers at left-back and that is probably why they are eyeing a move for Bradford left-back James Meredith, according to a report from Australia’s FourFourTwo.
Bradford City are doing pretty well in League One right now and Meredith is a key player for the Bantams. However, his contract is also up for expiry in the summer and a player who has never tasted Championship football might find it too hard to reject high-flying Leeds. Bradford also would like to get some money for the Aussie rather than seeing him leave for free.
The two-capped Aussie international is known for his attacking forays. He is a big guy with a frame of 6’1″ and hardly gets overpowered even by the strongest of wingers. The 28-year-old is more than willing to go forward on a regular basis and provide his side with an attacking outlet on the left flank.
Leeds are over-reliant on Taylor and will be damned if the English youngster suffers a lengthy injury. They do not have anyone to take his place and when you are looking for big things like promotion, it is too big a gamble to take.
Meredith is highly proven in League One and League Two and is solid both attacking and defensive wise. Now 28, he deserves a step up in his career and Leeds will not regret the decision of going after him. He will also be available for a cut-price deal in January and Leeds have other areas also to strengthen. So, Meredith would be a smart capture by Monk in January.
