Barry Douglas is a player in demand, with Watford and Blackburn Rovers interested in signing the Leeds United left-back on loan before the summer transfer window in England closes on Friday, according to The Sun on Sunday (print edition, page 61, October 11, 2020).
Given that Douglas has not played at all in the Premier League so far this season and is likely to struggle for playing time in the coming weeks and months, it must be tempting for Leeds to get the left-back off their books.
True, Watford and Blackburn both reportedly want the 31-year-old on a loan deal and the Scotland international is out of contract at the Whites at the end of the season, but a loan exit would mean that the Whites would not have to pay his wages.
However, Leeds should keep Douglas in their squad, as he is the only recognised senior left-back at the club.
True, Stuart Dallas has done well at left-back, but the Northern Ireland international is a winger by trade.
Ezgjan Alioski has been deployed at left-back as well, but the 28-year-old is also a winger by trade, while Leif Davis is only 20 years of age and has made just a handful of appearances for the first team.
Signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2018 for a transfer fee reported by Sky Sports to be worth £3 million, Douglas had injury problems last season, but now he is fully fit and available.
Having a recognised left-back such as Douglas in the squad is an asset for Leeds, and even if they lose him on a free next summer, they should keep hold of him for this season.
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