Daylight robbery as Leeds United told to cough up £30m for player who Daniel Farke likes ‘a lot’
Leeds United Ready to Splash the Cash with Carter-Vickers on Their Radar
Leeds United are gearing up for a transformative summer in the transfer market, armed with a hefty war chest as they prepare for life back in the Premier League. After clinching the Championship title under the guidance of manager Daniel Farke in the 2024/25 season, the club is looking to reinforce its squad with significant investment—reportedly having around £150 million available to spend.
While such a sizeable budget puts Leeds in a strong negotiating position, it also means selling clubs could be inclined to inflate prices, knowing the Whites are well-resourced. The Elland Road faithful can expect a flurry of transfer activity over the coming weeks, with both arrivals and departures on the cards.
One clear area of focus for Farke and the recruitment team appears to be the defensive unit. The current options at centre-back are quite limited, with just Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, and Pascal Struijk considered first-team regulars. Reports suggest Max Wober is set to leave the club, creating even more urgency to strengthen the backline.
Leeds have already been linked with Jaka Bijol of Udinese in a potential £17 million move, but attention is also turning toward another highly-regarded defensive target: Cameron Carter-Vickers.
According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, speaking to 67HailHail, Leeds are strong admirers of the Celtic and USMNT centre-back, who has been a key figure in the Scottish champions’ recent success. The 27-year-old, who began his career at Tottenham Hotspur, has rebuilt his reputation north of the border and is now attracting serious interest from multiple English clubs.
Bailey noted that both Leeds United and Sunderland are in the race, while West Ham are also believed to have kept tabs on the American defender. However, it won’t be a cheap deal. Celtic are expected to demand somewhere between £25 million and £30 million for his services, a fee that reflects Carter-Vickers’ experience, composure, and leadership qualities.
“What would he cost—£25-30million to sell him? That’s a lot of money for a centre-half at the moment,” Bailey explained. “And I think there’s a real chance that he’s not at Celtic come the start of September. Leeds like him a lot, and Sunderland. I know that he was on West Ham’s radar as well. To be fair, he’s got three, four, even five clubs interested.”
Such interest suggests a bidding war could unfold, particularly as Leeds look to bolster their squad with top-flight quality players. Carter-Vickers, with his mix of Premier League exposure and consistent performances in the Scottish Premiership and European competitions, fits the profile Leeds are looking for.
Whether Leeds can secure his signature remains to be seen, but what’s clear is that Elland Road is bracing for one of its busiest transfer windows in recent memory. Back in the top flight and backed by serious financial muscle, Leeds United are aiming to build a squad not just to survive—but to thrive—in the Premier League.