Leeds United were linked with Gavin Whyte earlier this summer.
Leeds United have been thriving under Marcelo Bielsa this season, and will remain in the market for new additions in 2019 to bolster the squad at Bielsa’s disposal.
Bielsa oversaw a host of incomings over the summer, but one player who didn’t make the move to Elland Road following the Argentinian’s arrival was winger Gavin Whyte.
Before Bielsa came in, Sky Sports reported that Leeds were in talks to sign Whyte from Crusaders in his native Northern Ireland, but they scrapped the deal after Bielsa’s appointment.
Whyte ended up signing for League One side Oxford United, and has dazzled for the League One side with five goals and one assist in 18 games so far this season.
The 22-year-old has become a regular with the Northern Ireland national team too, and has now been hailed by Leeds winger Stuart Dallas, who has told the Belfast Telegraph that he thinks Whyte can become a ‘real star’.
Deciding not to sign him over the summer may seem like a mistake from Leeds, but taking a back seat may end up being a smart move if they keep tabs on the wide man.
Heading straight into Championship football from Northern Ireland may have been a jump too far for Whyte, but learning the English came in League One gives him time to adjust and hone his craft before eventually making the jump to a ‘bigger’ team.
Having wanted him over the summer, Leeds surely still have their eyes on Whyte, and allowing him to develop elsewhere in England before then looking to make a move in the future may just pay dividends for Leeds, rather than attempting to rush him into Championship action as they seemingly wanted to earlier this year.
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