Barnsley are expected to complete the signing of the Leeds United midfielder this month.
There are rules in place to ensure that clubs like Leeds United are compensated for young players they have developed, even once they have reached the end of their contracts.
It is why the Whites have so far resisted the advances of a string of Premier League clubs for Charlie Taylor, despite the left-back’s reluctance to extend his stay at Elland Road beyond the current campaign.
Leeds’ Charlie Taylor (right)
What’s £7 million for a key player now when Leeds are guaranteed a fee for him – perhaps several million – in the summer, when they may or may not be a top flight club themselves?
Like Taylor, Alex Mowatt is out of contract in June, and as he too is under the age of 24, Leeds would not be left empty-handed if the midfielder was to walk way from the club at the end of this season… right? Well, not quite.
In order to be recompensed for a wantaway young talent, the ‘selling’ club must first offer the player a new contract on equal or greater terms to their existing deal, as Leeds have done with Taylor.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, however, despite having held talks with Mowatt’s representatives regarding an extension, the Whites are reluctant to match the contract he was given by the previous ownership regime in 2013. After all, he is no longer a key player.
Leeds’ Alex Mowatt (centre)
And with Leeds keen to get something for their troubles – 14 years’ worth, no less – selling Mowatt to Barnsley now is their only remaining option.
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