Leeds & Tottenham make approach for talented young midfielder – report
Leeds United and Tottenham have approached Wigan with the view to signing “talented” young midfielder Sean McGurk, according to the Daily Mail.
The Championship title-winners reportedly met with Wigan’s Joe Gelhardt on Monday to discuss a move for the striker and it seems that Victor Orta is also keen on his 17-year-old team-mate McGurk.
It is understood that Leeds and their soon-to-be Premier League rivals Spurs have “asked about” McGurk amid a potential firesale at Wigan due to them entering administration.
McGurk has never made a senior appearance for Wigan but must be highly-rated to have attracted attention from West Yorkshire and North London.
He impressed in the FA Youth Cup this season for Wigan’s Under-18s, scoring against Birmingham City before netting at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Wigan Under-18s manager Peter Murphy was full of praise for McGurk after that goal against United.
“Sean was brilliant, he’s been amazing,” Murphy said, as quoted by Wigan Today in March.
“He had a slow start to his scholarship with an injury in the summer but, since he’s been fit, he’s got himself into the team and stayed there.
“He’s so effective in games, he sets things up, he scores goals and he’ll always do that because of his ability.”
Wigan clearly know how to develop good young players but they are unlikely to have anything near the facilities that Leeds do – especially with them facing potential relegation to League One amid their precarious financial situation.
Leeds’ academy has been upgraded to category one ahead of next season and is bound to be an attractive prospect for Liverpool-born McGurk, who might prefer a short move to Yorkshire rather than heading all the way down to London with Spurs.
Wigan are in a very precarious position, with administrators in, and Leeds could be set to take advantage.
In other Leeds United news, this loanee says there’s a big chance he’ll stay at Leeds.