With the World Cup starting this Sunday, it offers most teams a break from domestic football, as they join to watch the paramount competition in world football.

Whilst players will use this to get fit and rest, there is little recess for managers and their staff, and with a January transfer window looming just after its conclusion, there are plenty of big decisions to be made during this six-week hiatus.

It seems that Leeds United have already begun their search for numerous new additions, with the rumour mill kicking into full gear already.

However, one opportunity which seems like it truly has the capability to go all the way is their reported interest in West Ham United youngster Harrison Ashby.

Having shown interest throughout the summer, the recent claims from club insider ExWHUemployee suggest that the Hammers are already preparing for life after the 21-year-old.

This could now give Victor Orta a green light to swoop in and seal the man who could one day end up becoming like the Whites’ legendary and long-serving right-back Paul Reaney.

Having starred throughout the 60s and 70s, he is largely regarded as the best in his position to ever play for the club. 

The club website goes on to describe him as 'Incredibly fit, a terrific man-marker and exceptionally quick, Reaney was a constant threat when overlapping down the right flank… With his pinpoint crosses he made many goals for the strikers although he scored few of his own.'

This marks an eerily similar skillset to Ashby, as described by journalists Sam Delaney and Roshane Thomas, speaking on the U Irons Podcast:

“He’s big as well. He’s like a big unit. He’s only young, but he’s like a giant. Usually, you’re used to seeing smaller players in those wing-back positions, but he looked big, strong, he was very fearless, decent on the ball.” 

Already boasting seven senior appearances for the east London outfit, it is clear they were building a pathway for him to enter their first team.

However, it now might be Leeds that benefit from his talents, as he looks to translate his 13 goal contributions for the under-21s side into senior football.

 It could be a brilliant deal to add him to Jesse Marsch’s side, with Rasmus Kristensen impressing but certainly remaining replaceable should the young Scotsman prove himself.

He could grow into a fine defender for years to come under the American and should have aspirations of reaching the heights of Reaney.