Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch reveals ‘decision’ for Newcastle United & West Ham target

Jesse Marsch insists Cody Drameh will be an important player for Leeds United, despite transfer interest from elsewhere.

Newcastle United and West Ham are among the teams tracking the 21-year-old, who is reportedly frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities.

Drameh has made just one Premier League appearance this season but with other clubs circling, Marsch has hinted at a bigger involvement for the highly-rated right-back.

“Cody has been fantastic over the last month and I’m so happy we have gotten to a point with him where he feels so energised by what we’re doing and engaged,” Marsch said last week.

“Then the decision will be how to continue to push him in the direction for him to be an important player at this club, which he will be. Maybe we need to even think about how it fits now.

“He’s done really well and I’m really happy for him and then you try to go through every player. What’s the situation of the team? What’s his personal situation? How do we provide him with what he needs to push him along as quickly as possible?”

Drameh has played seven times for Leeds since joining from Fulham in 2020. Last season, he enjoyed a successful loan spell at Championship side Cardiff City.

It is understood that Newcastle are in the market for an understudy to Kieran Trippier. Emil Krafth’s ACL injury means Javier Manquillo is the only other option behind Trippier.

Second place Newcastle host Leeds at St James’ Park on New Year’s Eve.