Leeds should go all out in pursuit of Wes Foderingham
EFL Championship side Leeds United are considering making a move for Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham in the January transfer window, as per a report from the Daily Express.
The Whites have begun the season on a strong note and look capable of pushing for a title challenge under new manager Marcelo Bielsa. However, they need reinforcements to the squad in January to sustain their form throughout the course of the campaign
A new goalkeeper is something that will have jumped at the top of the list for the manager ahead of the transfer window after backup goalkeeper Jamal Blackman had his loan agreement with Leeds cancelled. The 24-year-old suffered a broken tibia while in action for Leeds’ U23s and has returned to his parent club, Chelsea.
His unlucky departure has exposed the Whites in the goalkeeping department. While Bailey Peacock-Farrell has been the undisputed first-choice at Elland Road, the 22-year-old has also been sidelined with an injury, forcing Bielsa to use reserve team keeper Will Huffer in the first-team.
The youngster fared decently on his debut against Bristol City but cannot be trusted to don the gloves for the entirety of the campaign, making a new goalkeeping addition imperative for the Whites. And that’s where Foderingham enters the picture.
The 27-year-old came through the youth ranks at Fulham, before moving to Crystal Palace in 2010. During his time with the Eagles, the custodian had loan spells away at Bromley FC and Histon FC before leaving the club permanently to join Swindon Town in October 2011.
Foderingham went on to spend four seasons with Swindon, making 191 appearances before switching to Rangers in the summer of 2015. The Englishman immediately became a key figure at the Glasgow outfit, as he helped them earn back promotion to the Scottish Premiership in his debut campaign at the club.
The 27-year-old was the undisputed first-choice at the Ibrox Stadium in the past couple of seasons in the Premiership but has lost his spot in the team under new manager Steven Gerrard in the ongoing term, with summer signing Allan McGregor establishing himself as the new No.1.
So far in his tenure with the Light Blues, Foderingham has gone on to make 134 appearances, securing 50 clean sheets but only one of those came in the 2018/19 campaign.
The former England youth international hasn’t been involved heavily in the Gers’ first-team this season but has proven to be a reliable keeper during his spell in Scotland. Moreover, he also has plenty of experience in England as well, having racked up over 130 appearances in the League One and close to 40 appearances in the League Two during his time with Swindon Town.
Read More: Leeds signing this 18-year-old striker would provide some much-needed cover for Kemar Roofe
At 27, he is also at the right age and will be entering the peak years of his career. He might not prove to be the most popular addition at Elland Road but would provide Leeds with solid cover in the second half of the campaign. And hence, the Whites should look to move in on the Englishman in January.
