David Woods

Sun 31 May 2020 9:30, UK

Leeds United are in the race to sign striker Danny Loader and they might get to snap him up for nothing because of an unfortunate set of circumstances for Reading. 

The Daily Mail claim that Leeds’ Championship rivals have had to withdraw a £9k-a-week offer for Loader, who is out of contract in the summer.

That offer would have meant that Reading would be eligible for compensation even if Loader left after the 19-year-old passed through their academy.

However, the financial crisis caused by the Coronavirus outbreak has meant that Reading have pulled the offer and could now lose the player describe as their “prize asset” for nothing.

Leeds face competition from Crystal Palace and Swansea.

Loader hasn’t scored many goals in the Championship – actually one to be accurate, across 28 appearances – but the England Under-20 international has scored four for the Under-23s this season.

He’s nearly been snapped up before, too.

According to Sky Sports, Wolves agreed terms with Loader last summer before Reading pulled the deal.

That looks like it could come back to cost them a lot of money with the Coronavirus crisis setting up a chain of unfortunate events that could see Reading get nothing for all their work with Loader.

Arsenal, Juventus and Chelsea have also been credited with a historical interest in a player who exploded onto the scene at Reading as a 16-year-old when he scored four times in a pre-season friendly against QPR.

He was also part of the England Under-17 World Cup-winning side with Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Phil Foden.

They’ve all progressed way more than Loader who does seem to have lost his way somewhat at Reading amid all the interest in him.

But, we think that could make him the perfect player for Marcelo Bielsa, who knows how to get the best out of players he likes. And Loader has all the potential.

In other Leeds United news, ‘About to sign a 5-year deal’ – Phil Hay makes PL transfer reveal with Leeds loan deal on cards