Why Leeds United must plot a summer swoop for Cameron Brannagan

In January, The Telegraph had claimed that Leeds United were interested in signing Oxford United midfielder Cameron Brannagan. However, no deal materialised during the January transfer window and the player stayed put at Oxford United.

Cameron Brannagan, 23, has notched up 7 goals and 4 assists in the current campaign and has flourished since becoming a regular on the pitch after his 2018 transfer from Liverpool. The former England under-20 international is making waves in League One with the promotion-chasing Oxford United.

With the 23-year-old impressing in League One, Leeds United must rekindle their interest in the midfielder when the summer transfer window opens.

The Whites have had a bumpy time in the Championship of late as they chase a return to the Premier League. They are second in the current Championship standings, however, one constant source of frustration for Marcelo Bielsa’s side has been a lack of goals.

Centre-forward Patrick Bamford has been Bielsa’s first-choice this season. The 26-year-old began this campaign with a bang but things haven’t been plain sailing since September and a series of missed opportunities has brought his finishing ability into focus once again. Bamford may have 12 league goals to his name, but he has failed to score in 10 of his last 12 appearances.

Leeds lost Eddie Nketiah in January but Bielsa decided to replace him with the loan signing of Jean-Kevin Augustin, who is yet to make a mark at Elland Road. Plus, the Whites have also looked stretched in the midfield due to the injury problems of Tyler Roberts and Adam Forshaw, who has missed most of the campaign after undergoing surgery on his hip.

Though Bielsa did not bring in a new midfielder in the January transfer window, the Argentinean tactician must make it one of his priorities to sign one in the summer. And he should go for Cameron Brannagan.

Read more

• Why Leeds United’s done deal for Jean-Kevin Augustin is a good move
• Why Leeds missed a trick by not signing David McGoldrick in January
• Why Leeds must keep hold of Kalvin Phillips amidst Wolves interest

Brannagan has been a mainstay in the Oxford side this season, making 28 league starts and 34 appearances in all competitions overall. Since joining Oxford from Liverpool just over two years ago he has made 98 appearances, netting an impressive 13 goals. He is playing well very for Oxford United and could add more goals from midfield to a blunt Leeds attack given his goalscoring record this season.

Verdict

Brannagan’s talent and potential is there for all to see and there are chances of him establishing himself at a higher level under the guidance of Bielsa at Elland Road. Hence, Leeds must acquire the 23-year-old midfielder’s services in the summer.