Leeds are expected to be in the market for a new centre-back this summer.
The Sun have claimed that Queens Park Rangers are interested in signing Preston colossus Paul Huntington this summer, but surely Leeds should throw their hat into the ring to lure the defender back to Elland Road.
The report claims that new QPR boss Steve McClaren is looking to land the 30-year-old defender for a fee of £1million, with only a year remaining on his contract at Deepdale.
Incoming manager Marcelo Bielsa’s first transfer priority at Leeds will be to sign a striker, but adding a centre-back to the squad will also be deemed crucial by the Argentine. Here are three reasons why Huntington would be a decent addition:
Lack of cover
Leeds have lost Matthew Pennington, who has returned to parent side Everton, while captain Liam Cooper’s performances at the back for the Elland Road club were arguably below par.
Indeed, Bielsa will only have Cooper and Jansson to choose from as senior centre-backs, while Paudie O’Connor and Conor Shaughnessy are still largely inexperienced. Adding Huntington will give Leeds another option.
Orta’s failings must change transfer policy
The Whites need a centre-back who is proven in the Championship and boasts plenty of experience, and Huntington is just that man. Director of football Victor Orta brought in many from overseas, but it just did not work.
Huntington boasts 115 Championship appearances to his name, and more than 200 in League One. That Football League experience will be invaluable on the pitch, and help the likes of O’Connor and Shaughnessy off of it.
Bargain price
In today’s current market, £1million for a defender of Huntington’s class is an absolute bargain. He featured 44 times in Preston’s 46 league games, helping the Lilywhites come within a whisker of the play-offs.
Captaining the side 18 times, a player of Huntington’s class should be worth a much bigger fee, but at £1million, it is a no brainer for Leeds to lure the defender back to Elland Road – nine years after leaving to join Stockport in 2009.