Leeds United: Full-back De Bock set to complete Elland Road switch

De Bock left Brugge’s winter base in Spain yesterday morning with a transfer to Elland Road edging nearer after prolonged talks over a switch to Elland Road. The 25-year-old is likely to undergo a medical with Leeds in the next 48 hours and should conclude his transfer ahead of United’s clash with Ipswich Town at Portman Road this weekend.

The former Belgium Under-21 international is out of favour at Brugge, the team he joined from Lokeren in 2012. He has played more than 130 times for Brugge and was part of their top flight title-winning squad in 2016 but lost his place in their starting line-up this season.

Left-back has been a problem position for United for several months, left vacant by Charlie Taylor’s summer switch to Burnley, but Leeds are on course to land De Bock’s signature after agreeing to meet his wage demands on Friday. Yosuke Ideguchi, meanwhile, is poised to be unveiled as a Leeds player after arriving in England to undergo a medical yesterday.

Leeds confirmed last week that a deal was in place to sign the Japan international from Gamba Osaka and his £500,000 move will be finalised this week. Leeds still intend to send Ideguchi to Spanish side Cultural Leonesa on loan to the end of the season.

Aitor Karanka has been appointed as Nottingham Forest’s new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The Spaniard replaces Mark Warburton, who was sacked at the end of last month, and takes over with Forest 14th in the Sky Bet Championship.

Warburton was sacked on December 31 after less than nine months in charge following a 1-0 home defeat to struggling Sunderland – a 14th league loss of the season.

Academy boss Gary Brazil oversaw the goalless draw at Leeds on New Year’s Day, and Sunday’s 4-2 victory against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round was his last match as interim manager.