Leeds United signing this 20-year-old gem from Leyton Orient would help them fix their vulnerable defence

Leeds United Opinion: Why Leeds should sign Leyton Oreint’s Dan Happe?

According to a report from Daily Mail, Leeds United have been keeping tabs on Leyton Orient defender Dan Happe for a long time.

The 20-year-old centre-back is also being chased by Leicester and Norwich City, with the report claiming that the League Two outfit are keen on retaining their star defender. Happe’s contract is due to expire at the end of next season.

Happe’s staggering progress in the National League

An academy graduate of Leyton, Happe broke into the main team in 2017 and was subsequently loaned to Histon. The English youngster had a great 2018/19 campaign, playing a key role as his side won the National League title, as well as ended up as the runners-up in FA Trophy. 

Furthermore, Happe was pivotal behind Leyton maintaining 20 clean sheets throughout the season.

Leeds need defensive reinforcements

The Whites’ poor defensive performances in the previous season were subject to harsh disapprovals as they missed out a well-placed promotion chance. 

Especially in the final third of the competition, star defenders like Pontus Jansson and Gaetano Berardi were found off-colour, eventually leading to a collapse in the promotion race.

To be precise, Marcelo Bielsa’s men conceded 16 goals in the final 11 games, winning only four of them.

Having already struck gold by signing Ben White on loan from Brighton, Leeds should maximize their chances to get the services of another promising youngster, Happe.

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Being chased by a swarm of English clubs is a testimony to his performances and it is the right time to make a call on the Leyton prospect.

Final verdict

Swedish defender Jansson is tipped to make a summer exit, with Sheffield United interested. With that being said, Bielsa should try to persuade Happe to move to Elland Road at all cost.