The Leeds United forward has been in fine form during pre-season and has rarely had a look-in since arriving at Elland Road.
According to an exclusive report from Team Talk, Leeds United manager Thomas Christiansen has decided to release striker Lee Erwin this summer for free, but could the new Whites boss be making a mistake even with the proviso of a buyback clause?
The 23-year-old may have arrived at Leeds two year ago, yet he has only managed 12 first-team appearances to date, and he would have been hoping that a fine pre-season could have helped him stake a claim for the vital Championship campaign ahead.
With three goals in his first two appearances this summer, it seemed he was doing everything right, and yet now it is being reported that he has been deemed surplus to requirements and one cannot help but feel sorry for the young Scot.
He could not have done any more during the early weeks of pre-season, and while Leeds’ alleged insistence on a buyback clause in any deal means they still rate him highly, it is a mistake not to at least give him a chance in the first half of next season.
Leeds have been busy signing additional goal-scorers, with Chris Wood and Marcus Antonsson now joined by Caleb Ekuban and Samu Saiz, but the latter is very much a secondary striker and both he and his fellow new recruit could take time to settle.
With Antonsson continuing to be profligate during pre-season, Erwin has been the more impressive of the two and he could have done a fine job coming off the bench; his tenacity and innate talent making him the perfect impact sub. Instead it seems Leeds are moving him on.
One day, if he fulfils his potential, Leeds could buy him back. But next season is vital for the club and they need all the strikers they can get; especially one so desperate for a belated chance to make his mark.
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