According to Alan Nixon, Blackburn have lined up a shock move for Leeds United defender Liam Cooper ahead of the transfer deadline.
The Sun journalist shared on his Patreon that Blackburn are looking to sign a defender after they missed out on Nathan Collins, who chose to move to Cardiff on loan.
According to the report, Cooper could be available if Leeds United manage to bring in another defender before the deadline.
The club could also choose to let Cooper leave on a permanent deal, with no contract offer on the table despite the veteran’s current deal at the club expiring this summer.
Blackburn looking for defensive reinforcements
Blackburn are looking to add a defender after their bid to sign Nathan Collins on loan from Liverpool failed. The defender chose to go to Cardiff on loan leaving Blackburn to scramble for alternatives ahead of the transfer deadline coming up this week.
Jon Dahl Tomasson often sets up Blackburn with a back three which means the team need to have at least six defenders fit throughout the campaign to cover the position. With recent injuries to Hayden Carter and Harry Pickering, the position is lacking depth, hence the club’s eagerness to bring in depth ahead of the January transfer window deadline.
Should Leeds sell Liam Cooper?
With a deal for Joe Rodon in the works, and the emergence of Pascal Struijk as one of the best defenders as the club, and a future leader, the prospect of Liam Cooper remaining at Elland Road beyond this summer does not look likely.
Cooper has only played 2 games since the year began, with Daniel Farke even playing midfielder Ethan Ampadu in the heart of defence ahead of the veteran. Charlie Cresswell is also waiting in the wings in the pecking order, even though there have been murmurings that he may seek a move away from Elland Road for playing time.
Cooper’s contract runs out this summer which would bring an end to an illustrious decade with the club. The defender has won the Championship with the club, experienced promotion to the Premier League alongside making EFL team of the Year and PFA team of the Year during his time with The Whites.
Liam Cooper has served the club well and led Leeds to glory, but with the club’s ambition under Daniel Farke, the defender would be better off somewhere else at this point in his career.