Cody Drameh in training (Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, newly-promoted Premier League side, Leeds United have offered £400,000 for Fulham youngster Cody Drameh.
The 18-year-old full-back has been a long-term target for Leeds, having failed to bring him to Elland Road in January. The report also claims that the Whites have added a 20% sell-on clause as a part of the deal in an attempt to persuade Fulham to part with their teenage talent.
Meanwhile, Drameh is a regular feature within Fulham’s under-23 side and has excelled this season in the Premier League 2 with seven assists from 17 appearances. However, he is yet to feature for the Scott Parker’s senior team and Leeds are keen on bringing him to the side as soon as possible.
Leeds, on the other hand, have secured Premier League promotion after a long gap of 16 years under manager Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentine tactician has played a major role in helping Leeds emerge as Championship winners this season, thus marking their return to the top-flight.
A major reason for Leeds’ success this season has been a rock-solid defence. The Whites have the best defensive record in the league this season after they conceded a mere 35 goals from their overall 45 league matches.
One of the key players in the Leeds defence this term has been right-back, Luke Ayling. The 28-year-old has not only excelled defensively but also offensively, registering four goals and five assists from 37 league games.
Apart from Ayling, Leeds just have academy graduate Bryce Hosannah as a back-up in the right-back role. However, he has not made a single appearance for the senior side and this will not serve them well next season in the top-flight.
That said, Leeds’s interest in rising full-back Drameh makes complete sense as he could prove to be a good cover for main man Ayling.
Primarily a right-back, Drameh is, however, comfortable playing across both the flanks and has done so while playing for Fulham’s under-23 side. Hence, Leeds must not waste much time and land him at Elland Road as soon as possible.
It is evident that Leeds lack depth at right-back and Drameh’s arrival will only offer boss Bielsa an extra option next season. Moreover, he is still in his teens and can develop under the guidance of the Argentine coach. Having already proved himself at Fulham, the youngster could also turn out to be an excellent future investment for Leeds.
