One eye is already on Leeds United’s summer transfer window.

You can understand why excitement is already being drummed up ahead of the summer as United are on the verge of a Premier League return for the first time in 16 years.

The Whites have already been linked to one highly-rated teenage talent, and while that is an exciting prospect for a number of reasons, the Yorkshire club could benefit in an unexpected way.

Indeed, signing Yan Couto on loan could see United offered up an in-house solution to one impending problem.

Impending issue

Despite having the best defensive record in the Championship, Leeds’ problems this summer will come at centre-back.

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Make no mistake about it, the Yorkshire club will have to address the centre-back position this summer as Ben White is set to head back to Brighton, while Gaetano Berardi’s contract is up.

That means the Whites have just one senior centre-back signed on beyond the end of the season, but they do have one saving grace.

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Indeed, there is another man within the squad capable of playing in that position, and if Couto is signed he would be free to act as Liam Cooper’s understudy or even his partner in extremis next season.

Ayling the saviour

Luke Ayling has been one of Leeds’ better players this season while playing as a right-back, even winning February’s Championship Player of the Month award, but what shouldn’t be forgotten is his ability to play at centre-half.

The former Bristol City man has played in the centre of defence eight times this term, and the Elland Road outfit have kept six clean sheets in those games, so it’s clear that not only can he play at centre-back, but he’s actually quite useful there for the way Bielsa sets up his team.

Of course, United will hope to have a better option by the time the season starts, but if they land Couto they can sleep that little bit easier knowing that their problem position can be remedied by putting the Brazilian in and moving Ayling over.

In other news, £5m is not enough to plug this area.