While there has been plenty of talk about incomings at Leeds United in January, one player who has departed the club, is right-back Cody Drameh.
With Drameh struggling for game time since returning from his loan spell with Cardiff in the summer, it was reported back in November that a January move looked inevitable for the 21-year-old.
That has now been confirmed, although the move away from Elland Road is not a permanent one, but instead a loan deal that takes him to Championship side Luton Town for the rest of the season.
As a result, Drameh’s long term future is now set to be decided further down the line, with the full-back entering the final year of his contract in Yorkshire, in the summer.
So with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at two reasons why it would make perfect sense, for Leeds to avoid a permanent exit for Drameh, in what remains of the January window.
Sending out a message
You do get the feeling that if Leeds preventing a permanent departure for Drameh this month, it would mark something of a statement of intent from the Elland Road club.
It is worth noting that were some big names linked with the 21-year-old earlier in the season, with the likes of Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund credited with an interest.
As a result, it does seem as though Leeds have made it clear that they are not going to be forced into deals with any club, if it is not the right one for them, a stance that would also help with the precedent it sets, when they look to retain other assets in the future.
Ayling’s uncertain future
While Drameh is still contracted to Leeds beyond the end of this season, that is not the case for one of those he is competing with for a place at right-back in the side, Luke Ayling.
With the long serving Ayling out of contract at the end of this season, and potentially approaching the latter stages of his career, given he will be 32 in August, it does feel as though he may now be facing something of an uncertain future at Elland Road.
As a result, it would seem to make sense to try and keep Drameh at the club long term, given he does seem to have the ability to step in and fill the void on the right-hand side of defence, if and when Ayling moves on.