By Neil Champney

6th Sep, 2020 | 9:35am

Sun journo: Leeds 'hanging on' in race to land midfield ace from PL giants

Leeds United are “hanging on” in the race to sign Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher on loan this season, according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon. 

The 20-year-old spent last term completing temporary spells with Charlton Athletic and Swansea City, but could be set for a Premier League move this summer.

It had initially looked as if Crystal Palace had won the battle to secure his services for the coming season.

Football London reported last weekend that the starlet had completed a medical with the Eagles, and was on the cusp of rubber stamping a switch to Selhurst Park.

But Nixon has suggested that there is still a chance that Leeds could steal him from under Palace’s noses.

Writing on his personal Twitter account, he said: “Leeds. Hanging on in Connor Gallagher race.

“Could go out on loan once [he] signs a deal [with Chelsea].

“Palace been leaders but also have [Michy] Batshuayi on radar and can’t do both.”

Gallagher is an exciting young talent, and bringing him in on loan could prove to be a smart move from the Whites.

We’ve already seen Marcelo Bielsa utilise the loan market wonderfully with the captures of Ben White and Jack Harrison – among others – since he arrived at Elland Road, and Gallagher has all the ingredients needed to be another success story.

The youngster had a higher shot accuracy than Mateusz Klich last season, as per Wyscout, as well as making 2.69 more dribbles per 90 minutes and contesting 6.14 more duels.

There is a player of real potential in there, and who better to coax it out of him than Bielsa?

As long as Leeds are still in the running, we are hugely in favour of the Whites wrapping this one up.

In other Leeds United news, Bielsa and Leeds in disagreement about one key point in new PL contract