Leeds United are in talks with Club Brugge to secure the services of Belgian left-back Laurens De Bock. According to a reliable source in the English press, the 25-year-old is close to a move to Elland Road. It is being reported that the Belgian has also been a subject of interest from Italy with the player currently undergoing training with Brugge at their winter training camp in Spain over the past few days. De Bock signed for Club Brugge in the winter of 2013 for a few million euros and has made 177 appearances for his club, scoring 2 goals and making 8 assists. He also played for KSC Lokeren in the Belgian first division before signing for Brugge.
The 25-year-old has made a total of 8 appearances for Club Brugge across all competitions this season. There have been emerging reports from Belgium that suggested that Leeds United has already agreed personal terms with his representatives and a transfer might be completed during this transfer window.
The Peacocks have already signed Aapo Halme from HJK Helsinki on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee earlier this month. Halme was their first signing in January and the Whites are now closing in on their second recruit of the winter. It remains to be seen whether De Bock will follow Halme and move to Elland Road before the end of this month.
The Belgian left-back has struggled to find enough game-time in this campaign and has fallen down the pecking order at Brugge. A move to Leeds might suit him as he is likely to be looking forward to making a switch in search of greener pastures.
The Peacocks are currently sitting in 6th place in the Championship standings and are in dire need of some reinforcements in this January transfer window to bolster their options going into the second half of the season. They are still in the running to secure a playoff spot at the end of the campaign so their manager Thomas Christiansen will be looking to recruit wisely as he prepares his team for a battle to finish in the top 6 this season.
De Bock has kept two clean sheets in 4 starts in the Jupiler Pro League and will be an ideal option for Thomas Christiansen if the Belgian can overcome his recent injury concerns and stay fit. Only time will tell what lies ahead in the future of Laurens De Bock and whether he can be a success for Leeds United if they manage to land the player in this ongoing transfer period.
