Leeds United Bid Rejected For International Defender.

Romano stated that both Leeds and Sheffield United are interested in the 34-cap Welsh international, but The Cherries have turned down the offers because they believe Mepham will play a role for them in the Premier League’s final stretch.

Bournemouth, led by former Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola, are now 12th in the league, nine points above the drop zone, and are keen to ensure they do not run out of defensive cover as the season comes to an end and the games come thick and fast. Mepham’s last start for his team came in a humiliating 4-0 home loss to Liverpool eight days ago, and he was an unused replacement in the emphatic 5-0 FA Cup win over Swansea City.

Leeds have made defensive reinforcements a priority before the transfer market closes on February 1st, and have been connected with a number of players this month, notably Everton’s Ben Godfrey. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Welshman confessed earlier this month that he would have to be ‘open to all options’ after only seeing league football six times this season and starting three times.

The centre-back has made 117 appearances for the South Coast club after joining for a reputed £12 million from Brentford in January 2019. He was a regular in the starting eleven last season, making 26 games, but has struggled to establish himself ahead of Argentinian international Marcos Senesi and big-money recruit Ilya Zabarnyi.

Mepham would be an excellent signing for Daniel Farke’s team as they try to maintain their good run and closing in on one of the two automatic promotion spots. The Welsh international, who is only 26 years old, will offer the club with superb defensive options for years to come while also adding Premier League experience to the Whites squad.

Bournemouth are understandably reluctant to sell a player who is supposedly under contract until 2025 and provides seasoned defensive cover. It will be intriguing to see in the following days if any improved bids may turn The Cherries’ heads.