Leeds set to make poor Wilks decision
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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to reports from Football Insider, Leeds United are willing to let Mallik Wilks join Barnsley this summer if they land their preferred targets.
The young winger spent last season out on loan at Doncaster Rovers, where he was mightily impressive as he contributed to 22 goals.
What’s the story then?
Football Insider are reporting that Leeds are willing to allow the 20-year-old to leave Elland Road before next season.
This would allow him to hone his skills at a higher level, but his performances for Doncaster last term suggest that he is ready to play for the Elland Road outfit in 2019/20.
Should keep him
It’s no secret that Marcelo Bielsa wants to strengthen the wide areas this summer, and letting Wilks leave is seemingly counter-productive.
Rumours have been rampant that the Whites are targeting Ryan Kent and Jack Harrison as potential solutions to their left-wing problem, but they’ve both already proven that they aren’t that effective in the Championship.
Harrison only contributed to seven goals last term, while Kent’s numbers during his previous spell in the Championship were far from impressive.
These two loan targets may be proven quantities, but the only thing they’ve proven at this level is mediocrity.
On the other hand, Wilks flourished in League One and if he can carry those types of performances through to the Championship he could be a key man for the Whites.
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It makes next to no sense for Bielsa to overlook a 20-year-old who had a phenomenal season last time out. 14 goals and eight assists speak for themselves, and Wilks was one of the most potent attacking threats in League One as well as one of the most effective dribblers.
The Argentine hasn’t been hesitant to bring players in from out of the cold in the past. Mateusz Klich was out of favour at Leeds when he was loaned to FC Utrecht in 2018, but last term he was the only player to start every league game following the arrival of the South American manager.