49ers get youth development spot on after Sean McGurk loan news
49ers Enterprises are successfully developing youth prospects at Leeds United, with a potential loan move for Sean McGurk on the cards.
Alan Nixon reported on his Patreon (15 October) that the Whites are planning on sending the 20-year-old out on loan after his exceptional start to the season with the under-21 side.
With three goals and one assist in six appearances in the Premier League 2, including a game-winning brace against Stoke City, a temporary move away from Leeds feels appropriate.
For McGurk’s sake, a loan is vital. Having played in attacking midfield, centre-forward and right-midfield, his versatility could see him struggle to get much first-team action. A loan away could help him establish his position and make future first-team opportunities at Leeds more likely.
He was close to a loan move in January, with the Yorkshire Evening Post reporting that he could have returned to his former club Wigan Athletic for a short loan. He does not figure in Daniel Farke’s plans for this season, so at 20 years of age, he needs to be playing regular senior football.
So a loan makes the most sense, and again shows the 49ers’ success in developing and progressing their youth talents. In terms of the first team, Archie Gray has emerged as the standout youngster after thriving in the youth setup.
Following relegation, the club needed to maximise their playing assets. Developing high-quality youngsters into first-team stars and, if needs be, selling them on for significant profit is tried and tested, but very valuable for Championship clubs.
Before the season kicked off, Gray would have had a relatively low valuation. If he maintains his form for the majority of this season, his value could increase hugely. The same could be said of McGurk, and his encouraging stats suggest that a loan move to the right level could see him on a similar path as Gray.
While the likes of Sam Greenwood (Middlesbrough), Cody Drameh (Birmingham City) and Sonny Perkins (Oxford United) are all attempting further development in the Championship and League One, McGurk should be the next youngster in line for a loan.
In other Leeds United news, foreign media slammed an Elland Road loanee after his display on international duty.