Newcastle United face competition from Bundesliga giants for Leeds United youngster

Leeds United youngster Cody Drameh is reportedly the subject of interest from Newcastle United and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

The versatile England Under-21 international joined the Whites from Fulham last summer but spent the second half of the season on loan at Championship club Cardiff City. Drameh made a big impact with the Bluebirds and was named as their young player and player of the season prior to his return to Elland Road.

Reflecting on his decision to go against the wishes of then-Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa by joining Cardiff on loan, Drameh told Wales Online: “It’s not a concern for me (ahead of returning to Leeds), but at the time, it did affect me, I won’t lie. It did affect me mentally.

“I’ve never been in the spotlight before, so seeing my name in a negative light, which it hasn’t really been before, affected me mentally. But I had to learn from it and try and rise from it, I think I have. I just saw it as a new challenge in Cardiff and a chance for me to grow and develop as a person.”

Drameh had hoped to enjoy a breakthrough season with Jesse Marsch’s side as he looked to build on the momentum gained at Cardiff - but he has watched on from the sidelines after making just two starts in all competitions as the Whites boss retained faith with Rasmus Kristensen and Luke Ayling.

The Daily Mail have now reported Newcastle and Dortmund have been ‘alerted’ to Drameh’s current situation and suggested the Magpies could make a move for the youngster to provide competition for England star Kieran Trippier.

Any move would cast further doubt over Javier Manquillo, who put in an underwhelming performance in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Crystal Palace. United’s other right-back option, Swedish international Emil Krafth, is making positive progress in his comeback from the cruciate ligament injury he suffered at Tranmere Rovers earlier this season.