Leeds United set to waste time and money on Calvin Ramsay when they already have the answer
Leeds United pursuing award-winning Scottish teenager Calvin Ramsay is a waste of time, effort and money when Cody Drameh is set to return this summer.
Alan Nixon reported in The Sun this week that the club were set to make a £3million last-ditch raid on Liverpool’s plans to sign the Aberdeen youngster.
But after the full-back was named SFWA Young Player of the Year, and with a long list of other clubs interested (SFWA), that price is likely to increase significantly.
Football Insider has now reported that the club have been given permission to open talks with 18-year-old Ramsay but that the Dons are planning to hold out for a “significant” fee.
But, while the young Scot undoubtedly has the talent, and it may be logical that a move to Elland Road would be preferable to Anfield due to his long-term prospects, it makes less sense on the part of the club.
Drameh is only two years older than Ramsay, and has himself spent the past few months proving he is ready for a chance in the first team.
Ideal loan
The right-back pushed for a move away from the club in January despite Marcelo Bielsa’s reticence, and backing himself has proven the right thing to do.
He has been a revelation at Cardiff City to the point where he was nominated for the Bluebirds’ player of the year award, despite only being there for three months.
Steve Morison has made quite clear that he would happily take the Whites talent back next year, saying he would be “the first to put my hand in the air to ask” if United don’t want him (Wales Online).
Both full-backs have proven themselves capable of performing as regular first-team starters.
But the key difference is the obvious one, that Drameh is already on the books at Elland Road.
It is hard to see how his loan move could have gone better, as he has shown proactivity and confidence to push for it, and has then backed it up on the pitch.
With Luke Ayling heading towards the end of this run as a Whites stalwart it makes sense to harness the momentum that Drameh has built up in south Wales and begin to integrate him.
The senior man can be rested more often, and the junior one can get the game time that he requires.
He clearly isn’t in the mood for his development to stall, having indicated that he would prefer a return to Cardiff if he isn’t given assurances at Elland Road.
Even if Ramsay becomes a quality Premier League player in his career, the club risk making an unnecessary, and expensive move, with their own man apparently ready to make the same step.
In other Leeds United news, there’s been no direct contact with a Premier League giant over the proposed transfer of a star man.