Leeds United should rival Ipswich Town for the player released on a free by the Premier League club

At right-back, Connor Roberts has returned to Burnley and the hope is that next season Archie Gray will be used in the middle of the park rather than playing as a back-up right-back, such is his huge potential.

Sam Byram has penned a new one-year contract, while Jamie Shackleton is in talks to extend his contract. But realistically, Byram and Shackleton are kept for cover at Elland Road in the new campaign.

At centre-back, Leeds also need additions. Joe Rodon’s contract at Spurs has been extended by another 12 months and it is unclear whether he will join the Whites, while Liam Cooper remains only in talks at Leeds.

Leeds need defensive additions and a player released by Tottenham can help both defensive issues:

Tottenham are launching their ideal signing from Leeds on a free transfer

Spurs have opted to release 25-year-old defender Japhet Tanganga on a free. The England U21 man leaves Spurs after playing 50 times at senior level but endured a bit of an up and down 2023-24 season.

Indeed, Tanganga was loaned out to Bundesliga side Augsburg last summer but was unable to play due to injury and returned to Spurs in January before being sent to Millwall where he impressed and even scored twice.

The Mirror’s Darren Witcoop reports that Millwall want to sign him permanently, but Luton and Ipswich are also interested. Leeds must join the race to land ‘strong’ defender Tanganga.

Ipswich will have the advantage but it is ideal for Leeds

Not only would Tanganga provide cover in two crucial areas, but he would come up for nothing when Leeds needed money most. The 49ers inherited a large credit card bill that will force them to sell this summer.

Bringing in a replacement for nothing helps them achieve that, and it’s not like Tanganga is a drop in quality. A player who is easily good enough to play in the Premier League, still only 25, available for free.

Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League will make them favourites, but if Leeds can show Tanganga he would be first choice for the 2024-25 season, then the Whites certainly have a chance of signing him.