A right-back was clearly very high on the list of transfer priorities at Leeds United this summer. Rasmus Kristensen has been signed in that position but he wasn’t the only player who was identified by the Whites as a potential target to fill that role.
Luke Ayling has served Leeds with distinction during his time at Elland Road but he is moving into the twilight of his Premier League career. Cody Drameh had revealed himself as the potential long-term replacement for his older team mate but there are still some doubts as to whether he can make the step up to regular top-flight football.
Having played under Jesse Marsch previously at Red Bull Salzburg, Kristensen was ultimately signed as the man to provide competition at right-back. Although, with other clubs interested in securing his signature, Victor Orta and co couldn’t be sure that they would be able to bring the Denmark international to West Yorkshire.
READ MORE: How Leeds United full-back Rasmus Kristensen ranks ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joao Cancelo
For that reason, a contingency plan was in place with other right-back targets on the club’s radar in case a deal for Kristensen fell through. Reports in France from Foot Mercato have claimed that Leeds are interested in a move for PSG full-back Colin Dagba, and have been for some time.
However, the club’s potential interest in Dagba is likely to have dissipated following Kristensen’s arrival. It is unlikely that the Whites would look to sign another right-back with the new boy, Ayling and Drameh all on the books.
The latest report involving Dagba does claim that Strasbourg are lining up a deal which, if completed, would bring an end to any links with Leeds. That situation is similar to the one involving Calvin Ramsay, another right-back linked to Leeds prior to Kristensen’s arrival.
The 18-year-old seems set to agree a move to Liverpool although the Champions League finalists are yet to agree a fee with Aberdeen. The Daily Mail have reported that the SPFL side are holding out for £10m after Ramsay agreed personal terms with his prospective new team.
With Aberdeen playing hard ball and questions marks over whether the young Scotsman would be able to play regular Premier League at such a young age, it is easy to see why Leeds opted to sign Kristensen. Ramsay will have plenty of time to learn from Trent Alexander-Arnold and possibly spend time on loan away from Liverpool as he continues his development.
Time will tell whether Leeds were right to prioritise Kristensen over Dagba and Ramsay but given his experience of playing under Marsch, and competing in the Champions League, it certainly seemed to be the decision that made the most sense.
