Robert Snodgrass could leave West Ham after just half a season at the London Stadium – and a return to Leeds United may be on the cards.
You could forgive Leeds United fans for romanticising the possible return of Robert Snodgrass this summer.
The Scotland winger was a hugely popular figure throughout his four years at Elland Road, helping Leeds earning promotion to the Championship in 2010, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in 2012, and generally thrilling with his superb set-piece delivery and pinpoint crosses.
Therefore, reports in Football London that Leeds are interested in handing Snodgrass an escape route from West Ham, where he failed to settle following a £10 million January move from Hull, has fans dreaming of an emotional return.
Snodgrass scored more than 10 league goals in three of his four seasons at Leeds
Yet, although the deal would look dazzling on paper, would it really be a sensible move? West Ham would want to recoup much of their outlay, meaning Snodgrass could go down as the club’s most expensive signing since Robbie Fowler arrived from Liverpool in 2001.
And, at 29 years of age, Leeds would be unlikely to recoup a significant fee in the future.
With Leeds already landing wingers Ezgjan Alioski and Hadi Sacko, Thomas Christiansen’s side are fairly well stocked in wide areas. Furthermore, the Daily Mail claims they have made a loan bid for 20-year-old Liverpool winger Ryan Kent, a player who was shining on loan at Barnsley while Snodgrass stalled at West Ham.
Kent is younger, quicker and perhaps better suited to Thomas Christiansen’s game plan.
Kent would be a progressive signing for Leeds
Leeds fans may argue that Snodgrass would be the sort of signing that could secure them a place in the top six next season. But the ageing, out-of-form winger would be a very expensive risk.
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