The midfielder arrived at Leeds United from Swansea City in the summer but it was quickly clear he was not needed at Elland Road.
For the most part, Leeds United manager Garry Monk has impressed with his transfer business since arriving at Elland Road.
After all, he is the man who brought in Kyle Bartley, Pontus Jansson and Pablo Hernandez among others, but along with the successes and the minor disappointments there is one huge mistake, namely Matt Grimes.
The 21-year-old joined Leeds from Monk’s former club Swansea City in a season-long loan deal, and considering the manager knew the player well from their time together at the Liberty Stadium, he seemed to know what he was doing.
Alas, Grimes has quickly fallen out of favour, and by January it was clear he has not in Monk’s plans. So why on earth is he still at Elland Road?
Swansea are gaining nothing from having the player sit in the stands week after week, while Grimes is watching a whole year drift away and Leeds are paying a footballer they clearly do not want or need.
The Swans should have recalled Grimes early and sent him where he was actually going to play, while Leeds should have hastened such a move by making it clear he was unnecessary, regardless of the terms of the initial loan.
As it is Grimes will spend the next seven weeks with a watching brief, before heading back to Wales hoping to make up for lost time.
Leeds made a mistake bringing Grimes to the club, but you have to feel sorry for the player once it became clear he was destined for a full season in the shadows.
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