Leeds United are the latest club to express an interest in Jackson Irvine after a fine debut season with Burton Albion.
The problem? Leeds United struggled for goals from central midfield last season. The solution? Sign one of the most prolific central midfielders in the Championship.
On paper, Leeds’ pursuit of Jackson Irvine makes perfect sense. HITC sources told us that The Whites are making a move for Burton Albion’s Australian international midfielder after a superb debut season in English football.
Burton’s survival rested heavily on the goals of Irvine
Irvine netted 10 times in 42 Championship appearances to ensure The Brewers’ first ever season in the second tier of English football ended with survival. And, unsurprisingly, Irvine has piqued the interest of plenty of clubs higher up the footballing hierarchy.
The World Game reported earlier in the year that Aston Villa, Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves, four sides with genuine promotion ambitions, were all tracking the progress of a player who became Burton’s record signing when joining for as little as £330,000 from Ross County 12 months ago (BBC).
It’s fair to say the 24-year-old would cost far more these days. And he could be worth every penny to Leeds. After all, Pablo Hernandez was Leeds’ highest scoring midfielder last season with just six, some way behind 27-goal striker and Championship Golden Boot winner Chris Wood.
Furthermore, central midfield quartet Kalvin Philips, Ronaldo Vieira, Liam Bridcutt and Eunan O’Kane netted just two goals in a combined 112 appearances last season.
Vieira is highly rated but not exactly a goalscorer
Therefore, Irvine’s ability to time his forward runs to perfection and finish in clinical fashion would be welcomed with open arms at Elland Road.
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