Leeds United now want to sign defender rated ‘one of the best’ in the world by £17m former team-mate

Both teams were relegated alongside each other this time 12 months ago, so securing an immediate return to the table would be huge both on and off the pitch.

If Leeds were to lose, it would send them to another season of Championship football and 49ers Enterprises have already admitted that sales of key players would be required.

This is to ensure they comply with the EFL’s strict PSR rules and to offset some of the £190m in unpaid transfer fees. Leeds will reportedly need to raise £100m this summer.

On the other hand, victory on Sunday would allow Leeds to focus considerably more on who comes in as they look to build a squad capable of effectively staying in the Premier League.

Leeds now want to sign Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha

Leeds have already been linked with a number of players should they win promotion, the latest of which is upcoming free agent Marius Wolf, who is leaving Borussia Dortmund.

Kalvin Phillips has also been mentioned as a potential target, while Daniel Farke’s former Borussia Monchengladbach left-back Luca Netz is also believed to be on the radar.

And now, according to Sky in Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, there is a new defensive target to add to the list Leeds are eyeing.

He reported on X last night that Leeds are among the clubs keen to sign Gent defender Jordan Torunarigha, who Plettenberg says has enjoyed a top season in Belgium.

Hoffenheim are also in the running for Torunarigha, who has just one year left on his contract and could be available for as little as £2.1-2.5m this summer.

Torunarigha is a left-handed centre-back and will therefore likely be seen as a replacement for Liam Cooper, who is set to play his final game for Leeds on Sunday.

He will therefore compete alongside Pascal Struijk for a place in the starting XI, with centre-back a clear area to strengthen amid Cooper’s departure and the likelihood of Charlie Cresswell leaving due to a lack of game time.

Torunarigha hailed as “one of the best” in the world by Gift Orban

Torunarigha is apparently a highly rated centre-back who was capped at several age groups for Germany’s youth teams until he signed for Nigeria.

He made a number of appearances for Hertha Berlin before joining Gent in 2022, where he played over 100 times and really made a name for himself.

One of his former teammates from Belgian band Gift Orban even went so far as to regard Torunarigha as “one of the best” in the world last summer.

Orban, who received a £17m switch to Lyon himself in January, believes Torunarigha is excellent both on the ball and defensively.

Speaking in an interview with Complete Sports in September, he said: “Jordan is a good defender, one of the best in the game right now.

“He is a good striker and very good on the ball as well. I’m glad to be with him here in the national team. You can be sure he will make a big impact in the Super Eagles.”