Leeds United right-back Cody Drameh is attracting increasing interest ahead of the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

That's according to Fabrizio Romano, with the Italian transfer insider revealing in a recent post on Twitter that Borussia Dortmund, LOSC Lille and Bayer Leverkusen have now joined Newcastle United in the race to sign the Whites' 20-year-old right-back this winter.

Regarding the future of the England U21 international, the journalist said: "Cody Drameh, attracting interest as many clubs are keen on signing him in January from Leeds. Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Bayer Leverkusen alongside Newcastle are following the English right back as talent for the future."

Big mistake

While it is true that, at present, both Rasmus Kristensen and Luke Ayling are ahead of Drameh in Jesse Marsch's right-back pecking order, considering just how much potential the 20-year-old possesses, in addition to Ayling turning 32 years of age early next year, the argument that selling the youngster this winter would be a big mistake is an easy one to make.

Indeed, the £2.2m-rated talent highly impressed during a short-term loan spell with Cardiff City last season, helping the Bluebirds keep six clean sheets over his 22 Championship appearances, as well as making an average of 3.8 tackles - the most of any player in the division - one interception, 2.0 clearances and winning 6.9 duels - at a success rate of 57% - per game.

The £4.4k-per-week full-back also impressed going forwards, providing his teammates with three assists and creating four big chances, in addition to making an average of 0.6 key passes, playing 1.4 long balls and completing 1.1 dribbles per fixture.

These returns saw the player who Michael Skubala claimed goes "under the radar" average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.92, ranking him as Cardiff's fourth-best player in the second tier of English football last time out.

Furthermore, the England youth international has also stood out for Leeds' U21 side in the current campaign, scoring one goal and registering three assists over his 7.03 over his three appearances in the Papa John's Trophy.

As such, it is easy to see why Manchester Evening News journalist and self-confessed Leeds supporter, Conor McGilligan, suggested that, following Romano's update, Marsch needs to start selecting Drameh in his starting XI, stating:

"Should be Drameh and [Kristensen] fighting out for the [right-back] spot. If you need any more convincing, just look at the calibre of clubs in for him. Instead (with respect) Bill is still featuring ahead of Cody. It's 2022 - we need to evolve."

It is difficult to disagree with this opinion, while it is also not difficult to see that selling Drameh would be an incredibly short-sighted decision by the Whites, as Drameh has more than proven he is worthy of a chance in Marsch's first team this season.