Leeds United would surely like to make most of their loan deals permanent if they can.
Leeds United made a number of loan signings in the summer, with mixed results thus far.
Pontus Jansson has been the undeniable success story at Elland Road and his permanent signing cannot come soon enough, while fellow centre-back Kyle Bartley has impressed alongside the Swede and should also be secured far beyond this season.
Matt Grimes has not had the same success and, given the sheer number of midfielders at Elland Road this season, it would be a surprise if the 21-year-old remained beyond May.
That brings us to Hadi Sacko: a player who has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent but whose price tag could make a long-term move to Leeds impossible.
As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post when the winger arrived at Leeds, Sacko has a release clause of £51.6million in his Sporting Lisbon contract.
Portuguese clubs have a tendency of putting frankly absurd prices on the heads of their players and when they do move it is rarely for exorbitant fees, but even if you knock £40million off Sacko’s clause that would still be far beyond what Leeds would be likely to pay.
At just 22, Sacko has practically his entire professional career ahead of him, and unlike the other Leeds loanees one cannot help but feel that his time in the Championship will be brief, enabling a big-money move this summer if he continues to shine.
If Leeds do secure a permanent deal for Sacko it could be a masterstroke, and will almost certainly be determined by which division they are playing in next season.
But while Jansson and Bartley are must-haves and Grimes is a thanks-but-no-thanks, Sacko could be the one Leeds want but simply cannot afford.
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