Report confirms Leeds United have ‘no interest’ in Semi Ajayi transfer

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United have not shown any interest in the Rotherham United defender Semi Ajayi, despite rumours to the contrary. 

Last night saw Leeds confirm the departure of Pontus Jansson to Brentford. The deal, reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post to be worth £5.5 million, sees the Swede depart Elland Road after three years. 

It has left Leeds with a potential hole at centre-back, despite the loan arrival of Ben White from Brighton. Many fans have been scratching around for a potential replacement and, in the process, Ajayi seemed to hit the sweet-spot. 

Already Yorkshire-based, likely to be affordable and versatile enough to play in a number of positions, rumours swirled on Twitter that Ajayi could be a Leeds target.

However, as reported by The Sheffield Star, that is not the case. They report that Leeds have ‘no interest’ in the Nigeria international. 

Ajayi, a former Arsenal academy player, is considered crucial to Paul Warne’s plans at the New York Stadium next season. The Millers boss even confirmed as such when talking to the Star earlier this week. 

“Semi is essential to us. If I lose Semi, I lose a centre-half, a midfielder, a right-back, someone could can play in a back three,” he added. “I’m trying to sign players who can play in more than one position.

“I know I’m blowing our own horn, but here is a good place to be, a good place to play. The lads like being here. They’re not pushing down the door to get out.”

The 25-year-old scored against Leeds last season and has been a crucial player for Rotherham since joining from Cardiff City in 2017. 

But it seems any reports of him being a Jansson replacement at Leeds are currently wide of the mark.