Club braced for January bids as Leeds hunt deal to sign red-hot French midfielder – report
Leeds United remain in the hunt to sign Reading attacking midfielder Michael Olise with the January transfer window now open, according to the Sun.
The newspaper reports that Reading a bracing themselves to receive offers for the 19-year-old ace, who has been in “red-hot form” at the Madejski Stadium this season.
It is understood that Leeds tried to sign Olise in the summer but Premier League rivals Crystal Palace are now leading the race for his signature.
Olise would be another Orta gem
Reading have been in good form in the Championship this season and currently sit fifth after playing 23 matches.
Olise has been one of the stand-out players for the Royals by scoring four goals and supplying eight assists in his 22 second-tier appearances.
According to Wyscout, the France Under-18 international ranks fourth in the Championship for the success of his through-balls this season [37.5%].
He also ranks joint-11th for key passes [12] and fourth for smart passes [28], which is defined as “a creative and penetrative pass that attempts to break the opposition’s defensive lines”.
Leeds could do with a new attacking midfielder to join their ranks in the Premier League and Olise’s ability to play out wide could come in very handy for Marcelo Bielsa, who’s a big fan of having versatile players.
Victor Orta has signed a lot of young players for Leeds during his time as director of football at Elland Road but Olise could be one of his best if he can strike a deal for the Madejski playmaker this month.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has doubts over the future of these two senior players.