Leeds United ready to sell Lewis Bate as January transfer decision made at Elland Road
Leeds United are ready to sell Lewis Bate before the January transfer window closes, according to Darren Witcoop.
The Mirror journalist shared the update on his personal Twitter page on Friday (12 January), with Bate’s time at Elland Road long considered to have been up.
Bate, who impressed for Oxford United in League One last season, has previously been touted as a target for clubs abroad [Football League World, 21 November].
Time’s up
Bate is quite clearly some way down the pecking order at Elland Road, having made just one appearance so far this term – as a substitute in the Carabao Cup win over Shrewsbury Town back in August.
A lot was expected of the now-21-year-old when he arrived from Chelsea in 2021. At that point, the youngster had already been included as part of the senior side’s matchday squads.
Bate’s swift development continued with impressive performances at Under-23s level for Leeds, but senior opportunities have been few and far between.
The England Under-20s international showed with Oxford last season that he can more than do a job further down the pyramid, though, and it may well be that Leeds can recoup some money for him.
However, given he cost £1.5million to sign from Chelsea, the Whites will be taking a hit on that figure in what has ultimately been a disappointing move.
In other Leeds United news, Don Goodman has tipped a Whites player to shine at a club he has been linked with.