Leeds United 'interested' in Brentford target Jannik Schuster as Brighton 'track' Red Bull Salzburg star
Leeds United named as admirers of Red Bull Salzburg star and Brentford target Jannik Schuster
Leeds United are reportedly interested in Red Bull Salzburg star and Brentford target Jannik Schuster.
The 19-year-old is already a regular fixture in his native Austria, where he plies his trade in the colours of Red Bull Salzburg.
A highly-rated centre-back, he is an Austria Under-21s international who has been strongly linked with Premier League outfit Brentford.
Leeds United linked with Austrian prodigy Jannik Schuster
Reports have indicated he is being eyed for a £17.2m move to the Bees, but TEAMtalk have claimed Leeds are also interested.
Brighton & Hove Albion have also been thrown into the mix, described as a player tracking the defender’s progress.
Although the Whites and the Seagulls are thought to be in the chasing pack, it appears the Bees are very much in the driving seat.
The report has suggested Brentford are on the verge of making Schuster a member of their squad having ‘opened the channel’ for a move.
Leeds have a strong link with Red Bull and have struck deals with a number of their associated clubs over the years. Rasmus Kristensen, Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson were all signed from Red Bull-linked clubs in the summer of 2022. However, it appears landing Schuster ahead of Brentford may be a steep challenge.
Leeds United’s reliance on centre-backs
Leeds will head into the summer transfer window more dependent on centre-backs than they were in the previous summer.
Daniel Farke’s switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation has increased his reliance on central defenders, with three now deployed as part of his starting XI.
Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw were both signed last summer, joining a centre-back department already featuring Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk.
Bijol has slotted in well, although opportunities have proven limited for Bornauw. Recently, the latter has found himself behind full-back James Justin in the central defender pecking order.
If Bornauw seeks pastures new this summer, Leeds may find themselves needing to head into the market in search of a centre-back. There has also been speculation surrounding the future of Pascal Struijk, who has been reported as a target for the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and AFC Bournemouth.