A report from the Daily Mail has claimed that Leeds United have held a “long-term interest” in Leyton Orient’s centre-back starlet Dan Happe, who is also attracting interest from Premier League sides Norwich City and Leicester City.
Leeds United’s summer transfer business has well and truly turned up a gear as of this week, with long-term transfer target Helder Costa officially completing a move to Elland Road, joining on loan for the 2019/20 season with an obligation to a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Winger Jack Harrison and centre-back Ben White have also joined Marcelo Bielsa’s side on loan. Youngster Liam McCarron has also completed a move to the Whites, with Scottish starlet Stuart McKinstry also expected to complete a move to the club soon. And, it has now emerged that Leeds United have had their eyes on another young star for some time now.
Leyton Orient centre-back Dan Happe has been putting in some seriously impressive performances during his time at Brisbane Road, despite begin aged just 20. And, it has been claimed by the Daily Mail that the Whites have been keeping a close eye on him for some time now,
Premier League sides Leicester City and Norwich City have also been credited with interest in Happe, who is deemed as one of the most highly regarded young players in the Football League.
The young defender played 48 times for Leyton Orient in his debut season for the club, helping the O’s win promotion to League Two in his first season of senior football. He netted one goal along the way and is sure to be a part of the club’s long-term plans. But, with interest growing, Orient face a fight on their hands to keep him at the club.
Leeds United have been highly successful in bringing a number of young players from their youth academy into the first-team over the course of the past few seasons. The likes of Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton made big impacts on the club’s first team last season.
It will be interesting to see if Leeds United press on with a deal to bring Happe to the club this summer and blood him into the Whites’ senior team, with one less defender to compete with after the departure of Aapo Halme to Barnsley.
