Luke Ayling has been one of the signings of the season for Leeds United.
Luke Ayling of Leeds United clears the ball
Luke Ayling has proved to be an outstanding addition at Leeds United since signing for the club last summer, but it was a deal which nearly did not happen.
Ayling has made more tackles than any other player this season in the Championship (78), becoming a must-pick at right-back and even deputising in central defence when required.
Head coach Garry Monk was determined to land Ayling from Bristol City, but a weaker manager would have ceded to a request from owner Massimo Cellino.
Cellino organised a trial for right-back Gabriele Perico in late July, with the veteran Italian playing in a friendly match for the Whites against Atalanta.
Gabriele Perico slides in
Perico had played under Cellino’s ownership at Cagliari, but at 32, he was a player with very limited upside in terms of what he could offer Leeds.
Another manager would have bowed to Cellino and signed him anyway, but Monk’s decision to stand firm paid off, and is testament to his judgement.
He managed to convince Cellino to sanction a £750,000 move for Ayling instead, and he has been proven correct spectacularly.
Monk has made smart moves in the transfer market this summer, and the Perico/Ayling decision may have been his best.
If Perico had signed, there would have been no need to add Ayling in too, with Lewie Coyle and Gaetano Berardi alredy competing for position.
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