Leeds United transfer news: Stumbling block mooted for full Jaidon Anthony signing
Leeds United will face a “stumbling block” if they want to sign Bournemouth winger on a permanent deal, Paul Robinson has said.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola told the Bournemouth Echo (12 March) that was looking forward to having the 24-year-old winger back at the Vitality Stadium next season.
There is no option-to-buy clause inserted into the loan deal for Anthony, who has mainly been on the fringes of the first team at Elland Road this season.
Former Whites goalkeeper Robinson – speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News – thinks if Leeds get promoted then Bournemouth would not want to sell anyway as they would view Daniel Farke’s side as a direct rival in the Premier League.
“I think with Iraola, the Bournemouth manager, he’s got to say that because I think the decision on the player probably won’t have been made yet and with him being at Leeds all season the conversation with the player personally won’t have taken place,” Robinson said.
“So for him to talk openly about a player’s future in the press when he’s not had an opportunity to speak with the player I think it’s the right thing to say from the Bournemouth manager’s side of things.
“Leeds on the other hand, if and when they go up next season, he’s been a bit-part player this season, probably not had as many starts as he would have wanted to have but he’s been a key member of the squad and he’s made an impact when he’s come into that side.
“The only thing I would say about that deal, Bournemouth are always in the middle to bottom half and looking to stay in the Premier League, so Leeds are going to be a rival to that next season should they come up.
“Are they going to want to let a player of Anthony’s quality leave whether it be on permanent or loan again to a team that could put their Premier League safety at risk?
“I think that’s one stumbling block Leeds might come across should they look to do that deal again. If Leeds are in the championship again next season then another loan for him I don’t think would be out of the question.
“But if Leeds are back in the Premier League next season, as we all hope, I think it would be a difficult deal for them to get over the line.”
Will Leeds United sign Jaidon Anthony on a full-time deal from Bournemouth?
It’s not entirely clear where Anthony’s future lies beyond the end of his loan deal with Leeds, that is the truth of the matter.
Bournemouth’s permanent signing of Luis Sinisterra from Elland Road would suggest that his path to first-team minutes on the South Coast is further blocked.
But that doesn’t[ necessarily mean Leeds will definitely look to strike a permanent deal. He’s found himself out of the starting XI by the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto and Dan James this season.
All three would probably stick around in the Premier League as it is and Leeds would obviously look to reinforce as well, so it’s definitely not a clear-cut scenario when it comes to Anthony.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites could make two summer signings amid exit rumours for one player.
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