Exclusive: Leeds plot Rose raid to solve centre-back dilemma

Leeds United are plotting a move to sign Coventry City defender Michael Rose to solve their centre-back dilemma this summer.

United could get promoted next month and then be left with Liam Cooper as their only senior central defender.

A Leeds source has told Football Insider that the club are keeping tabs on Rose, 24, after his central role in Coventry's successful promotion campaign.

The Scot was a mainstay of the side that secured a place in next season's Championship after the League One campaign was curtailed last week.

He has one more year left on his Coventry deal and they face a battle to keep hold of him.

Leeds are in the market for new central defenders this summer, with Ben White set to return to parent club Brighton at the end of the season and Gaetano Berardi coming to the end of his contract.

This site revealed last week that the Championship leaders have made Middlesbrough's Daniel Ayala one of their top targets in the next window.

There is also interest in Argentina international Juan Foyth, with Tottenham ready to listen to offers for him.

Rose does not have the international calibre of Foyth or the battle-hardened experience of Ayala.

But he has made a big success of his first season in English football after moving from Ayr United last summer on a free transfer.

He accumulated 30 league starts among 39 appearances for Coventry this season.

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