Leeds United transfers: Luke Ayling picks new club amid several offers with Elland Road exit set
Luke Ayling has made the decision to join Middlesbrough on loan for the rest of the season from Leeds United after receiving several offers, according to Dean Jones.
Writing on his personal Twitter account (10 January), the reliable journalist reports that the veteran right-back discussed a one-year extension at Elland Road but wants to play regularly.
He has now opted to move to the Riverside with Middlesbrough for the rest of the season after having a few options to choose from, with the report claiming the decision to leave was a “tough one”.
“Luke Ayling decision was a tough one,” he wrote.
“One year contract option was discussed. But he wants to play, not the sort of player happy to sit it out.
“Had a few options but chooses loan deal to Boro for rest of season.”
Right option
Ayling wants to play regularly, but it’s been obvious for a little while now that he isn’t quite good enough anymore to reach the levels we need to get where we want to be.
The club have seen Archie Gray move ahead of him in the pecking order despite being a central midfielder naturally, while Jamie Shackleton is in the same boat also and Sam Byram is also capable of playing in the position.
Ayling heading to Middlesbrough is likely to see him play more often, and with them also being in the race for promotion it could secure him a Premier League move for next season too potentially if he does well.
But by making it a loan deal it means that Ayling can’t play against Leeds later this season, which means he can’t directly influence our chances of promotion when we come up against them.
We don’t know the other teams that made offers but the chances of it being another team in the promotion race are slim, so this seems to be the best option for him.
In other Leeds news, Whites could be forced to sell first-team star with £30m fee mooted.