da dobrowin: Leeds United’s transfer window, at its current point, seems to be centring on who Daniel Farke can get out of the building, rather than bringing anyone in.

da dobrowin: Indeed, Jack Harrison looks to be only the first domino that has fallen, in terms of deadwood being shifted on, with Joel Piroe perhaps the next one out of the door, having failed to fire home a Premier League goal this season from limited starts.

Still, Leeds surely won’t be done just yet with incomings, after sealing a loan move for Facundo Buonanotte, as they eye up a swoop for one versatile defender to enhance Farke’s options at the back.

Leeds express interest in signing versatile star

It’s not just at the back, though, where the German will be seeking out improvements, with more attackers needed if Piroe were to ditch Elland Road mid-season.

The rumours continue to filter through that the Premier League new boys are chasing after in-demand Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, as the Norwegian centre-forward attempts an exit route out of the basement club.

Alongside Strand Larsen, Leeds might be lucky with their advances for Fenerbahce defender Jayden Oosterwolde, as per new reports, with the suggestion that an approach has been made for him.

Indeed, journalist Charlie Gordon has reported that the Whites have expressed an interest in snapping up the Dutch defender this month, but face serious competition to land his services, with Crystal Palace ramping up a move as they eye a long-term replacement for Marc Guehi.

With Farke now utilising a three-at-the-back system, it does make sense that some adaptable defenders would be on his January wish list, as he tries not to overwork the backline currently at his disposal.

Ideally, Oosterwolde would instantly slot in and prove his worth as a malleable presence defensively, with the 24-year-old potentially going down as a new version of Stuart Dallas at Elland Road, for being so dependable when needed.

Why Oosterwolde can be another Dallas at Leeds

Dallas’ whirlwind time at Leeds was ultimately cut short by a serious injury, but nothing should take away from how much he was loved in West Yorkshire during the prime years of his Whites career.

Across 267 games for Leeds, the Northern Irish “legend” – as Farke warmly labelled him after his retirement news – would collect 28 goals and 18 assists, which included him putting away a memorable brace at Manchester City in 2021, to hand the Marcelo Bielsa-led outfit a famous 2-1 victory at the Etihad.

But, he was far more than just a man for the big moment when it came to scoring unforgettable strikes, with Dallas amazingly playing in seven different positions during his lengthy stay in Yorkshire, whether that be lining up as a left winger, left back or even a defensive midfielder.

As former Whites captain Liam Cooper once put it, “I don’t think there’s a position he can’t play”, with former Leeds boss David O’Leary also hailing the injury-prone star as an “unsung hero” for how much he offered the cause as an understated gem.

Oosterwolde will be hopeful that he can make a similar impact if he were to swap Turkey for England, with former coach Youri Mulder hailing him as a “really versatile” presence.

That has been evident in the Super Lig this season and throughout his Fenerbahce stay to date, with Oosterwolde also displaying the same grit and determination Dallas showed in spades donning Leeds white, having won 4.3 duels on average this campaign, while also collecting six clean sheets.

Oosterwolde’s career numbers by position

Position

Games

Goals + Assists

LB

97

3 + 3

CB

65

3 + 1

LM

6

0

LW

3

2 + 0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Looking at the table above, Farke will have no fear of throwing Oosterwolde into any gruelling competition that comes his team’s way, with the Dutchman even managing to bag two goals from an unorthodox left wing position, from only three career games there.

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Noted for his “electric pace” by analyst Ben Mattinson, this has all the makings of being a deal that initially slips under the radar, but proves to be a golden move, for how much versatility Oosterwolde can offer.

Jayden Oosterwolde in action for Fenerbahce.

Of course, it’s unlikely that the Zwolle-born defender will be elevated to Dallas’ legendary status at Leeds.

But he could still play a key role in the Whites comfortably staying afloat in the Premier League, all the same, just like the revered Northern Irishman managed during the halcyon days of Bielsa.

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2 ByKelan Sarson