Roberts Chris Mepham targets after Luke Ayling exit Due To….

The Athletic journalists Phil Hay and David Ornstein wrote on 10 January that the long-serving 32-year-old full-back was to undergo a medical at Middlesbrough ahead of a loan until the end of the season.

With Djed Spence having also returned to Tottenham after a break clause was utilised in his loan deal, Leeds are looking a little short at the back.

Witcoop had previously posted on X (5 January) that Burnley full-back Roberts was a target, while Alex Crook told GiveMeSport (8 January) that Bournemouth’s Mepham is a player the Whites admire.

The Daily Mirror journalist posted an update on 10 January following the news surrounding Ayling, posting on X: “With Luke Ayling heading to Middlesbrough, Leeds will step up the hunt for reinforcements.

“Burnley full-back Connor Roberts a target while Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham also mentioned. With Joe Rodon, Leeds could potentially have 3 Wales international defenders playing.”

There is absolutely no doubting the fact that Daniel Farke needs to add some defensive reinforcement with Ayling now looking certain to depart and Spence having returned to Tottenham.

It leaves Archie Gray, only 17, as the main option at right-back with only Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton – both of whom have had their fitness concerns this term – as cover there, with both needed to play left-back too.

Roberts knows a thing or two about the Championship having been promoted with Burnley and he would represent an excellent addition to Farke’s team, particularly given the experience he would be losing in Ayling.

Mepham too would be an excellent addition, but whoever Farke plumps for he does not really have time to dally on this one. He is taking a risk by letting Ayling go but he can nullify that risk by adding much-needed bodies to his squad as Leeds continue to push for promotion back to the Premier League.