Everton defender Matthew Pennington is reportedly on the radar of Leeds United in the summer transfer window.
Leeds United have been linked with a move for Everton defender Matthew Pennington in the summer transfer window.
According to The Sunday Mirror (print edition, page 61, July 9, 2017), the West Yorkshire outfit are among three clubs who want the 22-year-old.
Championship rivals Middlesbrough, now managed by former Leeds United head coach Garry Monk, and Hull City are also claimed to be interested in the Pennington (click here to read more).
The former England Under-19 international has been on the books of the Toffees since 2005, but he has been able to make only a handful of appearances in the Premier League so far in his career.
The youngster, though, does have experience of playing first-team football, having turned out on loan for Tranmere Rovers, Coventry City and Walsall in recent years.
While some Leeds fans could be apprehensive about Pennington given that he has yet to prove himself at the very top level, Roberto Martinez’s comments made in 2016 show just good he can be and how much potential he has, which will surely encourage the Elland Road faithful.
Pennington made his full Premier League debut for Everton against Bournemouth at Goodison Park in April 2016.
Reflecting on the defender’s performance against the Cherries, then Everton manager Martinez told The Liverpool Echo: “(It was a) full debut from Matthew Pennington in the Premier League, I thought he was very, very impressive.
“It was a solid performance. He enjoys the art of defending. It’s difficult to find young players of that calibre.”
Martinez also praised the youngster for his performance for the Toffees in their 3-1 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League in May 2016.
“A young player who could maybe have been caught by the occasion was Matty Pennington and he was the only player who played with intent, with meaning and desire and it is a shame no one else on the pitch could match that focus,” Martinez, now in charge of the Belgium national football team, told The Guardian.
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