Bournemouth and Leeds United signed midfielders off each other last summer – and Garry Monk should return with another offer, this time for Emerson Hyndman.
Leeds United and Bournemouth got to know each other rather well last summer. After The Whites’ prodigious midfielder Lewis Cook swapped Elland Road for the South Coast, Leeds snapped up Cherries’ utility man Eunan O’Kane in return.
Surprisingly, Garry Monk’s side appear to have got the better end of the deal so far with O’Kane a regular feature in their midfield. Cook (above), meanwhile, has spent almost the entirety of his debut Premier League season on the physio’s table rather than the pitch.
However, with the summer window creaking open once more, perhaps Leeds should make an enquiry about another Bournemouth midfielder. According to the Daily Record, Celtic want to take Emerson Hyndman on loan next season after the 20-year-old’s impressive short-term spell at Old Firm rivals Rangers.
The Texas-born American, who has more international caps than Premier League appearances to his name, has made a bright start to life at Ibrox after arriving in January. His quick feet, eye for a pass and four goals made Hyndman an immediate crowd favourite, even if his progress has slowed since Mark Warburton’s departure in February.
However, though instilling a winning mentality in the highly-rated midfielder by sending him back to Glasgow with Celtic may appeal to Bournemouth, who see Hyndman as a big part of their future plans, a season-long loan at Leeds would also have its benefits.
For a start, the Championship is arguably of a higher standard than the Scottish top flight so Hyndman would certainly be tested by a 46-game slog.
Leeds, too, could give Hyndman a starring role in their team. After dropping out of the play-offs via a late-season wobble, a lack of creativity has cost Monk’s side dear – especially with Pablo Hernandez running out of steam.
Therefore, Hyndman could provide the incision and cutting edge Leeds’ squad so clearly lacks.
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