Gavin Whyte explains why he turned down Leeds United last summer.
Gavin Whyte has confirmed to The Belfast Telegraph that he turned down a move to Leeds United last summer, despite admitting that he originally wanted the transfer.
The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to Leeds 12 months ago but ultimately decided to join League One side Oxford United.
The Northern Ireland international went on to play 47 times for Oxford last season, netting nine goals.
He has since been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest and although Whyte admits that a switch to Elland Road was certainly tempting last year, he believes turning it down was best for his career.
He told The Belfast Telegraph: “At that stage, Leeds was where I wanted to go because everyone knows they are a massive club and I knew Stuart Dallas.
“Obviously it’s easy to say it now, but I know I made the right decision in the end going to Oxford because I played a lot of games in the first team and I’m really enjoying it.
“If I’d signed for Leeds I probably would have played a lot of Under-23 games and I may not have enjoyed it as much or progressed the way I have at Oxford.”
Whyte is spot-on. Leeds have signed a lot of players over the last two years but so many were drafted in as Under-23 personnel and there’s nothing to suggest that he would’ve played under Marcelo Bielsa in the seniors last term.
It was his first season in English football following a move from Crusaders and his spell in League One proves that he’s a major talent.
It won’t reflect poorly on the Whites if he goes to Nottingham Forest and kills it next season. After all, Leeds wanted him – it was Whyte who turned them down.
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