Leeds United must have offered a sign that they are close to making their first January deal

Luke Ayling is ready to leave Leeds United after seven and a half years.

According to the Athletic, Ayling will undergo a medical at Middlesbrough before joining on loan until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old, along with Liam Cooper and Stuart Dallas, are all out of contract in the summer and unlikely to be granted new agreements, therefore Ayling has decided to go on, albeit on loan.

In terms of what this means for Leeds, they are now two right-backs short of where they were at the start of the window, with Djed Spence‘s loan from Tottenham ending early last week.

Archie Gray has been first choice in that position for the past three months, although he is still only 17 years old and playing out of position. It would be stupid to believe they could rely on him until May.

Leeds United are reportedly close to signing a right-back. Jamie Shackleton returned to the team for the first time since October against Peterborough United on Sunday, but is presently considered second-choice.

However, Shackleton has struggled with recurring injury issues this season, and like Gray, it would be a significant gamble to continue relying on him. This is especially true given that both left backs, Junior Firpo and Sam Byram, are prone to injury.

With that in mind, Leeds must be confident of signing a new right-back in the near future. It would be insane to assume they could get by without at least one replacement for Spence or Ayling.

Burnley‘s Connor Roberts has been prominently connected in recent days, and Nottingham Forest‘s Neco Williams is thought to be another player they prefer.

However, it is difficult to imagine either of their clubs allowing an exit at this time, with Burnley lacking depth at right-back and Williams still a key player in Forest’s aspirations.