Leeds United are reportedly looking to sign three wingers.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa wants to strengthen his squad by signing three wingers this summer.
Liverpool’s Ryan Kent and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Helder Costa are two new targets, whilst it’s noted that Jack Harrison is likely to return for another loan spell from Manchester City.
Should Bielsa land three, then Leeds’ wide options will be stacked. Ezgjan Alioski and Pablo Hernandez will be in the mix even if they can play in other positions, whilst Leeds still have Jack Clarke too, despite Premier League interest.
He’s not the only talented young winger at Elland Road though, as Mallik Wilks will return for pre-season training after a strong season out on loan at League One side Doncaster Rovers.
The 20-year-old racked up 16 goals and 12 assists for Donny, impressing with his pace, skill and end product in a superb campaign for his development – but his role at Elland Road is unclear, especially with his upcoming trial for assault and violent disorder (Doncaster Free Press).
If three wingers arrive, there’s a chance Wilks will end up as sixth, maybe even seventh choice winger at Leeds. His chances of first-team football may be boosted if Clarke moves on, but with big names targeted, Wilks is in danger of being lost in the shuffle.
Leeds will hope to keep Wilks on the books given that those targets would likely only be on loan, so a Leeds-born talent like Wilks should at least be fancied for the future.
Yet having done everything asked of him in League One, Wilks would be well within his rights to wonder whether he’ll ever get his big chance at Leeds. That Leeds have been linked with Jamal Lowe – who notched 17 goals and nine assists for Portsmouth – rather than using Wilks seems a little strange.
Bielsa knows best, but it would be a shame to lose a talent like Wilks, and that’s the risk here. If Wilks can’t see a pathway to first-team football, he may well look to go elsewhere in order to play regularly, rather than being farmed out on loan every summer.
Leeds fans would no doubt love to see another homegrown talent in the team, but with three wingers wanted, it’s hard to see where Wilks would fit in – and he may well be tempted to go if that’s the case, in what will be a big summer for him both on and off the pitch.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
