Middlesbrough have signed Mo Besic from Everton. Did Leeds ever stand a chance?

Middlesbrough finally clinched the signing of Muhamed Besic on a season long loan deal after more than a month of speculation.
Besic joined from Everton, despite a loan deal falling through earlier this month when the clubs tried to get it done on deadline day back on August 9.
Leeds United had been strongly linked with a deal for Besic too, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting their interest.
Upon completion of Besic’s loan to Middlesbrough, he made some comments which indicated Leeds never stood a chance of tempting him to Elland Road.
Besic told Middlesbrough’s official website: “I’m really pleased to be back, I was waiting two or three weeks for this,” Besic said.
“I just wanted to join Boro again. I can’t wait to start. I spoke to my agent, I spoke to Tony Pulis and I said if I leave Everton I want to join Boro. There’s no other clubs, no chance.”

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are winning plaudits for their performances this season, but Besic evidently was not interested.
Boro sit second in the Championship table, level with Leeds on points.
Besic spent the second half of last season on loan at Middlesbrough and this clearly gave the club an advantage when it came to winning the race for his signature.

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