Championship rivals Leeds United ‘identify’ Liam Cooper’s transfer alternative

Liam Cooper has been contacted by Leeds United’s Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers over a potential free transfer move to Ewood Park. That’s according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon, as the defender’s future remains up in the air.

Despite the Whites offering him a new deal after the end of the 2023/24 season, Cooper is still considering his options after officially leaving Elland Road at the end of June. A teamTALK report suggests United have offered Cooper a one-year deal, but the defender is holding out for a longer deal. There is no sign Cooper has reported to Thorp Arch following his short-lived European Championship stint with Scotland.

Rovers are in the market for defensive reinforcements and Cooper, 32, has made more than 200 appearances at Championship level. With Cooper an experienced campaigner and not short of options in the summer transfer window, the Lancashire outfit are looking at potential alternatives to Cooper, including Hull City’s Sean McLoughlin. It has been suggested that the Irishman could cost £500,000 but would be on lower wages than Cooper.

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McLoughlin played 26 times in all competitions last term as City missed out on a top-six finish. He struggled to find regular game time in the second half of the 2023/24 season, with then boss Liam Rosenior preferring Alfie Jones and Jacob Greaves as a centre-back pairing. Greaves is on the verge of leaving the MKM Stadium, with Premier League new boys Ipswich Town expected to sign the defender.

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