Leeds United could redeem Leif Davis mistake with huge Sunderland AFC coup | OneFootball

Signing Dennis Cirkin could the perfect way to get over letting Leif Davis join Ipswich Town in 2022

Leeds United have been linked with a shock move for Sunderland star Dennis Cirkin in recent days, with the left-back being one of the Championship's standout performers in the early weeks of the season.

It was reported on page 69 of the Sunday Mirror's print edition on November 10th that Daniel Farke's side were lining up an ambitious move for the 22-year-old, with Leeds currently below Sunderland in the Championship table.

It would be a real statement of intent if the Whites could prise Cirkin away from the Stadium of Light, with the left-back becoming a key player for Regis Le Bris' side this season as they've flown to the top of the Championship table.

However, recent links with Cirkin, and Gent left-back Archie Brown, suggest that Farke is looking to bolster his options there in January, and a move for the Sunderland man could just redeem the decision to let Leif Davis join Ipswich Town in 2022, which now looks a mistake.

Signing Dennis Cirkin could redeem 2022 Leif Davis mistake

As a Premier League club in the summer of 2022, Leeds allowed young Davis to leave the club for League One side Ipswich Town, a move that the Whites undoubtedly regret in hindsight.

Davis has performed excellently at Portman Road, and he helped his side win two consecutive promotions, reaching the Premier League ahead of the 2024/25 season at the expense of Leeds United, who finished third, six points behind Ipswich.

24-year-old Davis is now one of the first names on the teamsheet for the Tractor Boys in the Premier League, starting all 11 of their games this season, scoring one goal and registering two assists.

Given the fact that he provided 40 goal contributions across his first two seasons at Portman Road and is now starring in the top flight while Leeds are in the Championship, it's clear that they made a mistake in 2022 by offloading Davis, and it's a move that may haunt supporters.

Leeds currently have Junior Firpo and Issac Schmidt as their left-back options but there is an argument to be made that Davis and Cirkin would be upgrades on the pair.

Letting Davis go in 2022 proved a huge error of judgment by Leeds, but bringing in Cirkin would be a more than suitable way to make up for it.

The 22-year-old is two years younger than Davis and has been hugely impressive this term. While he hasn't yet provided the same level of attacking output, he is a more well-rounded player and would help to replace what they lost two and a half years ago.

Last season, Davis won the Ipswich Town Players' Player of the Year, was named in the Championship Team of the Season and PFA Team of the Year, all while playing for a side that denied Leeds promotion, a huge frustration for supporters, but if Cirkin was to join, it may just redeem their mistake.

Signing Dennis Cirkin would be a real statement of intent

Despite only being 15 games into the season, it's not too early to admit that Leeds and Sunderland are direct competitors for automatic promotion.

With that in mind, if Leeds could poach Cirkin from the Stadium of Light, not only would it be a huge boost to the Whites, but it would put a serious dent in the Black Cats' promotion push and be a huge advantage both psychologically and on the pitch.

You feel as if there's any Championship side capable of signing Cirkin, it would be Leeds, and they'll be looking to flex their muscles when the transfer window opens.

After a huge period of time out injured, almost missing the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign, Cirkin has hit the ground running this season, and has been one of the division's standout players so far, and he'll inevitably attract interest in January and the summer.

His deal at the Stadium of Light expires in 2026, so Sunderland will face a nervy wait over whether he'll sign a new deal, or they could be forced to sell soon. It puts them in a difficult position and has the potential to derail their excellent start to the season if it's not sorted urgently.

As for Leeds, their interest in Cirkin shows that they mean business, and if they were able to complete a deal to sign the 22-year-old, it would finally allow them to get over the mistake of allowing Davis to leave Elland Road.