- Leeds United are reportedly making significant moves in the transfer market, aiming to secure a substantial upgrade at full-back by targeting Sunderland’s Trai Hume. The 22-year-old Northern Ireland international has garnered attention from several clubs, including Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Leicester City, and Serie A champions Napoli. However, Leeds are actively pursuing Hume to bolster their defensive options for the upcoming season.
Hume’s performances in the Championship have been impressive. He ranks in the top 16% of full-backs for progressive passes per 90 minutes (4.91) and in the top 18% for pass success rate (81.6%). Defensively, he averages 3.4 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, and 5.5 ball recoveries per game, with a ground duel success rate of 58% and an aerial duel success rate of 60%. These statistics suggest that Hume could be a significant upgrade over current right-back Sam Byram, who, while reliable, has lower metrics in these areas.
Byram, who returned to Leeds in August 2023 on a free transfer, has been a versatile option for manager Daniel Farke, covering both left and right-back positions. In the 2023/24 Championship season, Byram made 29 appearances, starting 21 games, with a Sofascore rating of 7.17. He averaged 1.8 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, and 3.7 ball recoveries per game, with a ground duel success rate of 55% and an aerial duel success rate of 54%.
While Byram’s experience and versatility have been valuable, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and at 31 years old, Leeds may be looking for a younger, long-term solution. Hume’s age and statistical profile make him an attractive candidate to fill this role.
Leeds’ pursuit of Hume aligns with their broader strategy to strengthen the squad, especially as they aim for promotion to the Premier League. Manager Daniel Farke has emphasized the need to find players who can make Leeds into promotion contenders. The club has already made transfer offers and has a budget exceeding the funds received from Byram’s transfer, indicating their commitment to investing in key areas.
In conclusion, Leeds United’s interest in Trai Hume represents a strategic move to enhance their defensive capabilities with a promising young talent. If successful, this acquisition could provide a significant boost to their promotion ambitions and offer a long-term solution at full
-back.
