Leeds United tabled a surprise loan bid to sign a defender from Nottingham Forest in January and now the Premier League club are willing to cash in on him for just £4m.
Leeds only ended up signing Connor Roberts on loan from Burnley in January but were after a centre-back towards the end of the window with Pascal Struijk suffering an injury, and out of action until now.
The lack of centre-back signing left Leeds moving Ethan Ampadu into defence alongside Joe Rodon at centre-back. At the time, it seemed a frustrating one given how good Ampadu had been in midfield.
But of course as time went on, Ampadu has starred in defence with Rodon and Ilia Gruev has replaced Ampadu in the middle of the park as if nothing had changed and at times, Gruev has almost been better.
One player Leeds were linked with in the January window was Forest’s Joe Worrall and reports even said that The Whites tabled a loan bid to lure the centre-back to Elland Road until the end of the season.
Worrall has since gone on loan to Turkey with SuperLig giants Besiktas and has done well over there, but he remains on the books at Forest. Now, a new update on his future.
Forest willing to cash in on Joe Worrall amid Leeds bid in January
Described as “excellent” by Gary McAllister during a loan at Rangers, Worrall is a leader. Forest’s club captain before his loan and that may remain in the summer if he does not end up leaving under Nuno.
But he is likely to be on his way given he had been sent out on loan in January to Besiktas. The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports on his Patreon channel that Forest are willing to cash in on Worrall for a bargain £4m fee.
A decision will be made on whether he will complete a permanent move to Besiktas at the end of the season with Besiktas set to play in the Turkish Cup final, while Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United are keen.
Should Leeds reconsider a move for Worrall this summer?
Well, it could hinge on promotion. While Worrall has done well in the Premier League at times with Forest, he is much more convincing as a Championship centre-back. If Leeds failed to go up, then without doubt.
A player with tons of experience at Championship leave, a leader, for £4m. Absolute no-brainer if Leeds do stay in the second tier with Liam Cooper likely to go and a permanent deal for Joe Rodon unlikely.
But, promotion would see Rodon sign permanently and better options available to Daniel Farke’s side. Sheffield United’s interest is a sign that they feel he is a good signing for a Championship club.