Sean Klaiber (Image credit: Google)
As per Voetbal International (h/t Leeds Live), Leeds United are interested in signing Utrecht star Sean Klaiber ahead of the new season.
Klaiber, 25, has been with Utrecht since 2007. Having risen through the Dutch outfit’s youth system, he made his Eredivisie debut in the 2013/14 season. But he struggled for game time and was sent on a six-month loan spell to FC Dordrecht, where he bagged some experience under his belt.
Since his return, he has been brilliant for the Dutch side and has excelled in the last few years. He has been one of the best players in the squad and has developed into a fine modern right-back. However, he has just two years left on his contract with the club, and the report suggests that his club are looking for a replacement for Klaiber. Thus, Leeds should make a swift move for the former Dutch U21 international.
One of the major issues this season has been that most of Leeds’ main players were on loan. Eddie Nketiah did well until January bit returned to Arsenal last winter. Jack Harrison and Ben White are also other influential players on loan. But they need permanent signings to progress in the near future.
So it is necessary for them to bring in new faces to add depth to the squad. To that end, signing Klaiber would be a sensible move. A right-back by nature, he is also capable of operating in the midfield.
At Leeds, Luke Ayling is the only established right-back available at the manager’s disposal. The Englishman was one of the key players in the Whites’ rise to the top but he is already 28 and wouldn’t be available in the long run. And Klaiber could a perfect understudy to Ayling for a couple of years.
The Dutchman has contributed with 4 goals and 4 assists in 24 league games this season and has already made over 200 career appearances. And that could help him settle to the conditions of the Premier League. He could also take over from the Englishman given he continues with the fine form and develops himself.
The Whites have limited options and it is clear that they are in dire need of right-backs. And Klaiber’s inclusion would bring healthy competition to Ayling, whilst also providing some much-needed depth. Thus, they should manage to lure the Dutchman to Elland Road before the transfer window comes to an end.