Leeds are poised to complete a deal to take promising Fulham defender Cody Drameh to Elland Road for a fee that could rise to around £1m, according to a report in the Daily Mail this morning.
The young full-back is in his final year of his current deal at Craven Cottage and, after starring for Fulham’s under-23 side, had been linked with Manchester City and several European sides. The Londoners appear resigned to the fact that the 18 year-old would not sign a new contract and entered into negotiations with Leeds over a permanent transfer, although the two sides were initially some way apart in their valuation – with Leeds offering around £400,000 for the England under-18 international.
Marcelo Bielsea rates Drameh, who remains behind Cyrus Christie, Denis Odoi and Steven Sessegnon in Scott Parker’s pecking order, highly and is prepared to offer the youngster an opportunity in the first team rather than sending him out on loan. Leeds had an approach turned down in January and have returned to try and complete the deal, which will also include a 20 per cent sell-on clause.
