Leeds United are reportedly one of three clubs considering a move for Ipswich Town centre-back Dara O’Shea, according to The Irish Sun. The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international may be set for a quick return to the Premier League after suffering back-to-back relegations.
O’Shea was part of Burnley’s squad that went down in 2022/23, before joining Ipswich in a £15 million deal last summer—£12m up front, plus £3m in add-ons. Despite a solid season on a personal level, he endured another relegation, this time with the Tractor Boys.
Premier League Clubs Monitor O’Shea Situation
Despite Ipswich’s drop, O’Shea’s individual performances have impressed, leading to interest from top-tier clubs. Alongside Leeds, Wolves and Burnley—his former club—are reportedly tracking the defender’s availability.
A move could materialize as Ipswich may be forced to offload key players to balance the books following relegation. They’ve already sanctioned the sale of Liam Delap to Chelsea, and O’Shea could be the next to go.
Leeds Looking to Reinforce Their Back Line
Leeds are understood to be evaluating defensive reinforcements ahead of their Premier League campaign. Although the pairing of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk was Daniel Farke’s preferred option last season, Struijk’s injury struggles meant Ethan Ampadu had to step in at centre-back on several occasions.
The likes of Max Wober also battled fitness issues, and James Debayo, while promising, lacks top-flight experience. A move for a seasoned player like O’Shea would give the squad much-needed depth and allow Ampadu to remain in midfield, where he’s arguably more effective.
O’Shea’s Experience Makes Him an Appealing Target
At just 26, Dara O’Shea already brings plenty of top-level experience, having played Premier League football with West Brom, Burnley, and most recently Ipswich Town. Internationally, he’s been a regular fixture for the Republic of Ireland, earning 33 senior caps since his debut in 2020.
His availability, combined with his consistent performance levels, makes him a valuable option for clubs looking to shore up their backline ahead of a challenging Premier League season.
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