Leeds United could see PSV exit open the transfer door to unfinished business

Two league starts are all Connor Roberts managed during his four months with Leeds United, returning to Burnley with a distinct sense of unfinished business. Injuries and the form of Archie Gray are chiefly why the 28-year-old was unable to make more of an impression during United’s run-in.

Roberts ticked all the right boxes when Daniel Farke drafted him on the final day of the January transfer window. He brought experience to a young dressing room, fight, nous, needle and a top-six track record.

The stars just never quite aligned for the Wales international, whose biggest impression was undoubtedly from the bench at home to Leicester City. Roberts and Patrick Bamford turned the flow of that match, with the former scoring the first Leeds goal on the night.

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A poorly-timed injury with Wales in the final international break virtually skewered his momentum and chances of playing a meaningful part in the run-in. Even during his short time with the club, Roberts was a voice on the pitch and a leader unafraid of ruffling white feathers.

Leeds find themselves with another Championship season ahead of them and in need of reinforcements at right-back. The Whites would do well to find someone better and more available than Roberts.

He turns 29 in September, already knows the dressing room well, brings that experience with him and has close friendships with the Wales internationals. Yesterday, Burnley added another right-back to their ranks.

Lorenz Assignon’s January loan was the catalyst that freed Roberts to leave in the winter. He may have returned to Rennes, but the Clarets have now added former PSV Eindhoven defender Shurandy Sambo.

Vitinho remains in the squad as it stands and Roberts’s contract expires next summer. In a summer riddled with complexities and false dawns, this seems like a sensible transfer all parties can get done in short order.