In what could see them finally sign a target they set their sights on back in January, Leeds United are now reportedly plotting a summer move to sign a defender who’s been compared to Rio Ferdinand.

Leeds set sights on January target again

As the international break ends, Leeds are set to return to action against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon knowing full well that they cannot afford any more slips. With just eight games left to play in the Championship, the Whites sit top of the league on goal difference and only two points above third-place Burnley. To put it simply, the race for automatic promotion remains on a knife-edge.

Promotion to the Premier League is almost certain to provide those at Elland Road with a major boost on the transfer front this summer too, with names such as Matt Targett already threatening to steal the headlines.

Whether they secure their place in the top flight or suffer the ultimate promotion heartbreak, however, the 49ers look set to target one particular reinforcement at Elland Road this summer.

According to GiveMeSport, Leeds are now plotting a summer move to sign Andrew Omobamidele from Nottingham Forest after missing out on his signature during the January transfer window.

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Reportedly available for less than £10m if Strasbourg decide not to trigger their option to make his loan move permanent in the coming months, Omobamidele could complete a permanent exit from Nottingham Forest and join up with Daniel Farke. The Leeds boss remains a fan of the defender, who he brought through the Norwich City academy in 2021.

"Exciting" Omobamidele could find form at Leeds

Whilst his move to Nottingham Forest hasn’t quite worked out, there’s still every chance that Omobamidele finds his form elsewhere and perhaps even at Elland Road next season. The 22-year-old is yet to even reach his peak, but has already earned impressive praise from the likes of Vinny Perth.

The former Dundalk manager went as far as comparing Omobamidele with Premier League legend Ferdinand a few years ago, telling reporters: “I watched him play for the Ireland under-21s against Wales – he was ok. But I watched him against Preston in a 1-1 draw, and he subsequently stayed in the team. He has been outstanding – a really, really exciting footballer.

“They want to play out from the back, he is so comfortable on the ball. I hate giving players tags, but he looks like a young Rio Ferdinand. He has got bits to learn, in that he could develop his upper body strength but he is 18, playing against men.”

With that said, whether or not they earn a Premier League place, Leeds should push to reunite Farke with his former academy graduate and hand the German a key defensive reinforcement this summer.