The dramatic £17m transfer hijack Leeds United could pull off to crash Brentford's party
Leeds & Brighton have both been linked with a transfer bid for a player that Brentford are already in negotiations with - can they pull of a heist this summer?
As a general rule of thumb, it’s safe to assume that an ascending young player is going to be pretty good when Brentford try to sign them. They’re a club that don’t miss too often in the transfer market, and their scouting has proven to be consistently exceptional. It’s a lesson that both Leeds and Brighton appear to have taken on board.
According to TEAMtalk, both of those sides are debating whether to muscle in on Brentford’s move for RB Salzburg centre-back Jannik Schuster, a teenager who’s been highly impressive in Austria this season. The Athletic are among outlets to have reported that Keith Andrews’ side are in negotiations for a deal which could be worth €20m (£17.2m) – but will one of their Premier League rivals be able to hijack their bid, and why is Schuster suddenly so popular?
Could Leeds or Brighton beat Brentford to the signing of Jannik Schuster?
While TEAMtalk’s new report suggests that both Leeds and Brighton are debating a bid, only Brentford have been credited with opening any form of negotiations just yet. That certainly suggests that they’re leading the race – if indeed there is one.
According to their story, Leeds are showing an active interest after being made aware of his availability, while Brighton are said to have been tracking him and could make an offer of their own in the coming days. If they do indeed get involved, both teams could make a strong case. West Ham get a mention as a potential candidate, too, although it’s suggested that their interest is more tentative.
The three teams most strongly linked would likely all be able to compete closely in terms of their contract offers, and either Brentford or Brighton could offer European football. Leeds don’t have that advantage, but their back three system means more places for centre-backs and perhaps an easier path towards starting minutes. At both Brentford and Brighton, Schuster could face a bigger battle to force his way into the XI.
There’s no reason, in other words, why Brentford should be able to make a much stronger case to the 19-year-old than either of their apparent rivals. The question is whether Leeds or Brighton will actually make a bid – a question that remains unanswerable as it stands.
Leeds have perhaps the most pressing need for a player like Schuster – they are thin on resources in defence and need to get younger as a whole – but that doesn’t mean they’ll be the most appealing landing spot for him unless they can persuade him that first-team football is more likely at Elland Road. Both Brentford and Brighton, meanwhile, can boast excellent records when it comes to developing young talent, and have made a fine springboard for many youngsters taking their first steps at the top level.
Brentford hold the cards right now as the first to the table. If they’re joined by Leeds or Brighton (or even West Ham), however, an intriguing transfer battle could be in prospect. But just how good is Schuster?
Why at least three Premier League teams are interested in Schuster this summer
It’s not too difficult to see why Schuster has drawn so many admirers after an impressive breakthrough season with RB Salzburg: On paper, the Austria Under-21 international is close to the complete package in terms of his traits and inherent qualities.
He has the physicality and height – he stands 6’3” tall – to compete in crowded penalty areas and has been superb in the air, while his positional sense and judgement in one-on-one situations has been highly impressive. The way he dominates the box and appears to put himself in the right place and the right time draws a comparison to Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
He’s also got strong technique, is composed under pressure and can handle high opposing presses, and has demonstrated an impressively precise passing range. He’s comfortable taking the ball out of defence and pushing upfield, has a fine first touch and seldom loses possession needlessly.
There have, of course, been occasional lapses as one would expect from a young player in his first full season, but he has been overwhelmingly impressive – and there are no obvious weaknesses to his game as it stands. No wonder so many teams have taken a shine to him.
The debate, of course, is how easily he will make the step up to the next level. The Austrian Bundesliga represents a very different challenge to that which he would face in England, and his technique and positioning would be tested far more fiercely in the Premier League. Plenty of promising players have struggled with the transition. All indications suggest that Schuster has the skillset to make it work – and he certainly has the physical traits – but there will always be some uncertainty about the chances that he makes it.
Given his age and lack of top-level experience, it’s likely that his suitors will be looking at him as a developmental prospect and a player who starts out as a back-up. He probably wouldn’t be thrown in at the deep end right away, giving him time to get up to speed. But there’s clearly hope and expectation that he could be a force in the top flight in years to come, and it’s easy to see why. Schuster is an exciting prospect. The team that eventually signs him will get a player who offers real hope for the future.