49es Enterprises stink out at Leeds United as seven-figure Finlay Gorman development emerges in last 24 hours
Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises may be in for some ruthless fallout at Elland Road after news emerged that exceptionally gifted academy wonder Finlay Gorman now looks set to leave.
The Athletic journalist, taking to his personal Twitter account reported on Monday 13 November that Premier League champions Manchester City have agreed a seven-figure deal with the Whites to sign the talented 15-year-old.
The fee is believed to be a British record for a player of his age. However, it’s been reported that the deal is yet to be fully completed but the expectation from all parties involved with the deal is that Gorman will move on to the Etihad.
Hay tweeted: “Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated academy midfielder Finley Gorman from Leeds United. Seven-figure fee is believed to be a British record for a 15-year-old.”
Leeds United may well be due a seven-figure fee to seal Gorman’s exit from Elland Road but this is a damaging blow, to lose such a prestigious talent.
Leeds Live reported on 13 November that the Whites are not happy to see Gorman leave and tried to convince the youngster to stay at Thorp Arch.
But after the youngster’s visit to City’s training complex, Gorman has opted to take the leap and fight through a congested path to senior football.
Given the youngster’s performances for the club’s academy, clubs like Manchester City were always going to be on the prowl for his signature but that doesn’t mean the Whites won’t be left reeling by this development.
No amount of money can make for such a loss and City could now well have gained one of the most gifted young academy teenagers in the country with this deal.
The Premier League champions’ academy setup is the envy of every club in English football right now and Gorman has probably gone on to make the right decision for his young career but the 49ers’ call to let this deal happen and fail to convince the teenager certainly stinks.
Gorman is an incredibly gifted young player, making his Under-18’s debut as a 14-year-old and even featuring for the England Under-16s at the same age and could well have been promised some future guarantees like Archie Gray may have been.
However, Leeds United were never going to avoid Manchester City’s interest and move for the teenager but this still hurts. Let’s hope this is the last of the Whites losing such a prestigious talent on their books.
In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports presenter David Prutton says a Whites player will be “gutted” by a recent development.