Leeds: Whites interested in Matt O’Riley
The Yorkshire club has, for the time being, at least succeeded in keeping hold of Gnonto, but the off-field drama hasn’t exactly helped their start to the Championship season, as they have only won one of their first four league games.
However, with the transfer window closing in a few days, Daniel Farke and company are set to focus on potential incomings, with rumors indicating that they’re interested in one specific midfield talent.
What’s the latest Leeds United transfer news?
Six newcomers have joined Leeds thus far this summer; the most recent being Djed Spence, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the Swansea City striker Joel Piroe stands out as the best of the bunch considering he scored 19 goals in the Championship the previous season before scoring on his debut for Leeds in their season-opening victory over Ipswich Town.
But if Leeds persevere and land a deal for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley, another arrival might still leave a similar effect.
Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports reports that Southampton and Leeds are both interested in acquiring the midfielder before the transfer window closes, citing Thomas’ Sky Sports colleague Anthony Joseph.
O’Riley has played four times for Celtic this season in all competitions, scoring twice in three Scottish Premiership contests. The Scottish giants’ asking price for the 22-year-old is still unknown, but given his recent performance, he might not be available for a bargain this summer.
Should Leeds United sign Matt O’Riley?
For those at Elland Road this summer, making the signing of a player with Champions League and league championship experience could prove to be a very wise commercial decision.
Throughout his still-young career, the Dane has received a lot of accolades, including from former MK Dons boss Russell Martin, who previously stated, through The Scottish Sun:
He was a pressing machine, scored a few goals, provided a few assists, and had the ability to play deeper or higher.
He typically played higher up for us because that was his inclination. Despite finishing the season deeper, he still scored goals. He is capable of almost anything. He is a gifted athlete, has excellent vision, and is a very intelligent young man.
He is among the smartest football players I have ever worked with.
O’Riley’s time in England is undoubtedly commendable, and Leeds doesn’t have much longer to pursue their purported interest given that the transfer market closes on Friday night.
Given how impressive he has been in Scotland, where he scored four goals and provided assists on an astonishing 14 goals in all competitions last season, if they can sign the Celtic star, they may have a guy who can light up the Championship in the middle of the field.
In a related development:
Leeds United transfer news as Kenny McLean move officially off
David Wagner, the manager of Norwich City, has stated that Kenny McLean will not be joining Leeds United this summer, putting an end to any rumors that he and Daniel Farke may reunite at Elland Road.
The Canaries turned down a £4 million approach from the Whites for the Scotland international, who was viewed as a potential replacement for Tyler Adams in the middle of the field [Sky Sports, 29 August].
McLean was left out of Norwich’s lineup for their Carabao Cup victory over Bristol City on Tuesday (29 August), despite having played every minute for Wagner’s team in the Championship so far this season. However, the manager was eager to put an end to any rumors about McLean’s future.
When I can deny anything, Kenny McLean won’t be traveling to Leeds, he remarked in a post-match interview with PinkUn on YouTube (29 August). We gave them some relaxation, especially Kenny and Gunny (Angus Gunn), who are traveling with Scotland the next week.
Wagner reaffirmed that neither Norwich’s nor his position on McLean’s availability to the Whites this summer will change.
Onto the next
After a turbulent summer of ins and outs, Leeds hopes to finally settle before the 1 September deadline by adding the finishing touches to their team between now and the end of the transfer season.
Although McLean, 31, would have been a great addition to the team at Elland Road and is well-known to Farke because the two previously worked together at Carrow Road, losing out on the midfielder won’t be the biggest loss if they are able to sign another new player.
Norwich was never likely to let one of its key players leave for a relegation opponent because they have their own dreams of returning to the Premier League this season and have started the season brilliantly, going undefeated thus far.
Due to a lack of options, the Whites first relied on 17-year-old Archie Gray to produce in the middle of the park. However, with several reports tying United to a number of potential midfielders, Farke and those in positions above him are working hard to locate a fresh option.
