Leeds United failed to bring Alfie Mawson to Elland Road from Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in 2016 – but now he’s set to swap Swansea City for West Ham
Barnsley have become something of a springboard for talented, homegrown prospects and Alfie Mawson is just one of a number of players who have gone onto bigger and better things after impressing at Oakwell.
In fact, the centre-back spent just one season at Barnsley in 2015/16 before departing, joining Swansea City for £5.5 million (BBC). But if Leeds United had their way, Mawson would have made that short trip across Yorkshire instead.
The Daily Star reported in the summer of 2016 that Leeds had been impressed by Mawson’s performances as he helped Barnsley win promotion from League One the previous season. The Whites were on the lookout for a new defender and the former Brentford youngster was at the top of their list.
And while Leeds did manage to pull off an inspired deal for Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley, an oft-impenetrable partnership that had the Elland Road giants dreaming of promotion, their failure to sign Mawson now looks costly.
Because, a year-and-a-half on from that £5.5 million move, the 23-year-old is now valued at £20 million more.
According to The Sun, West Ham United are closing in on the signing of the former England youth international, raising their initial £18 million in order to convince bottom of the table Swansea City to cash in.
£25 million may be steep but Mawson is one of the most talented young defenders in England, combining physical presence and a fearsome leap with an excellent passing range.
And his current price tag just goes to show how far he has come since Leeds United made their move.
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