According to Phil Hay, Daniel Farke would “love” to bring Oliver Skipp back to Leeds United this summer after relying on him on loan at Norwich.
The 22-year-old English midfielder missed just one Championship game as Farke‘s Canaries won the division, starting 44 times, and while Ethan Ampadu has joined to bolster the midfield, the Spurs player would be an excellent target for the Whites manager.
Skipp has since established himself as a decent squad option at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, though he only played around half the minutes for Farke last season, so The Athletic’s Hay admits it is a long shot, even if the Elland Road boss would welcome it if the door did open.
When asked about the squad’s current form, he said on The Square Ball podcast on Friday (21 July, 8m): “I think there’s the foundation of a really strong team there.” What I’d question is if there’s a large enough squad to get you through 46 games.
“You do need a really strong XI, and if you look at Farke’s teams, especially the players he relied on at Norwich, some of them were so good at delivering for him.”
“[Teemu] Pukki, [Emi] Buendia, Oliver Skipp in midfield who was on loan from Spurs and is now back at Spurs, and someone else who I think Farke would love to sign if he could.”He does appear to be very involved, Skipp, and would cost a lot of money. But he relied on these players, and they were extremely beneficial to him.”
Out of reach
Much depends on Tyler Adams‘ future, but central midfielders who should surely be options next season presently rank third with a combined age of fewer than 60.
Ampadu, 22, is a solid signing, while youngsters Darko Gyabi, 19, and Archie Grey, 17, are likely to see more action next season, but the two current Leeds United players have yet to make an appearance in the first team.
Sam Greenwood was used at times last season but is not naturally suited to the position, so with Weston McKennie returning to Juventus at the end of his loan, Marc Roca on loan to Real Betis, and Adam Forshaw in contract extension talks that appear to have been hijacked, at least one more incoming transfer is likely.
The budget is unlikely to allow for a permanent Skipp deal, and whether he would want to drop down to the second division on loan after making 56 Premier League games is doubtful.
However, Ampadu has spent numerous seasons in the topflight of England or Italy and has opted to move to Elland Road, so there may be unforeseen vacancies as the deadline approaches.
With so little time until the season begins, it appears that Farke will start the season with a very unclear roster, with entering and exiting business likely extending well past the first match.
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