Why Marcus Antonsson’s future at Leeds United could be in doubt

Follow us on Google Discover

With Leeds United reportedly set to move for West Ham United’s Ashley Fletcher, Marcus Antonsson’s future at Elland Road is in doubt.

Garry Monk seems to have found the antidote for the supposed poisoned chalice that is the Leeds United manager’s job, with almost every big decision that the 37-year-old boss has made so far going according to plan.

Leeds have thrust themselves into promotion contention this season, after a brilliant run of form since October.

The Whites are currently in fifth place in the Championship table, and the Yorkshire side have been accumulating victories at a rapid rate.

There is genuine hope that Leeds could return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004, and Monk has received nothing but praise for the job that he has done at Elland Road.

However, the one blot on his copybook may be the signing of Marcus Antonsson last summer.

Antonsson was one of Leeds’ most expensive signings, but the Swede has failed to make much of an impression so far.

Although the 25-year-old has shown flashes of quality, he has only scored one goal in 14 Championship appearances.

Monk already appears to have reservations over utilising the former Kalmar forward, with the likes of Chris Wood and Souleymane Doukara seemingly ahead of Antonsson in the pecking order.

And Leeds’ reported January transfer window plans plunge Antonsson’s future at Elland Road into further doubt.

The Sun claim that Leeds are lining up a £2 million bid for West Ham United’s Ashley Fletcher next month, with Monk determined to upgrade his strike force.

If Fletcher was to arrive, it would be hard to see exactly where Antonsson would fit in at Elland Road.

He has struggled to break in ahead of Chris Wood, and with Leeds willing to pay such a fee for Fletcher, it seems reasonable to suggest that Monk wants the 21-year-old to become Wood’s main rival for a place up-top.

If Fletcher does arrive, then Antonsson’s days at Elland Road are surely numbered already – even though he has barely had a chance to prove his quality.