Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Luca Connell from Bolton Wanderers this summer.
Leeds appear to have received a potential boost in their bid to sign Luca Connell, with The Sun on Sunday (12/5; page 59) reporting that Brighton have pulled out of the race to sign the Whites target over his wage demands.
Connell is one of the most exciting prospects coming through in the Championship, and he is free to leave Bolton this summer having not signed a professional deal despite appearing for the first-team this term.
The Sun on Sunday (12/5; page 59) reported that Leeds deem Connell to be a ‘star of the future’, and they appear to have been handed a potential boost in their pursuit of the 18-year-old – who could cost just £300,000.
The report notes that Brighton have withdrawn from the chase due to Connell’s wage demands.
On paper, it may be a concerning sign for Leeds that a Premier League side have taken themselves out of the race because of what they may have to pay.
But given the emphasis that Leeds have put on strengthening their under-23 ranks since Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta arrived at Elland Road, it would not be a huge surprise if they had a lot more confidence in meeting Connell’s potential demands than Brighton did.
The youngsters at Thorp Arch play a huge role in Marcelo Bielsa’s plans – as Jamie Shackleton proved at the weekend – so perhaps Leeds are much more likely to try and take the gamble on the teenager than the Seagulls apparently are.
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