Leeds United want to sign Malcolm Ebiowei from Derby County
Leeds United are among the clubs looking at a deal for Derby County winger Malcolm Ebiowei after their relegation to League One, according to The Sun.
Derby were hit with a 21-point deduction this season and while they fought valiantly they were officially relegated a few weeks ago.
While their financial situation is still up in the air though, Leeds are looking to target them and make a move for their highly-rated 18-year-old winger during the summer transfer window.
Ebiowei will see his contract at Pride Park come to an end next month and is unlikely to stay, having registered one goal and two assists in a string of impressive performances under Wayne Rooney.
According to The Sun, Leeds face competition for his signature from Fulham, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig.
Despite his contract expiring he would still cost a fee with all of Arsenal, Derby and Rangers due a portion of any compensation having helped to train him in their academies.
Exciting
When the chips were down Rooney looked towards the youth players and Ebiowei was among the players to really step up and make a name for himself.
Only 18-years-old, there is plenty of room for improvement and coaching despite Wayne Rooney calling him ‘excellent’ and Elland Road could be the perfect place for him to develop and become even better.
Jesse Marsch has got a great expertise when it comes to working with young players, having helped to develop Erling Haaland at Salzburg before the Norwegian made the move to Borussia Dortmund.
A step up to the Premier League could be a big one for the former England youth international and it’s possible that a loan deal would benefit him, but there is also the chance he takes a squad role and gets minutes.
The club need to stay in the Premier League first though to be able to compete with those clubs for his signature, so ensuring survival is the key to this deal getting off the ground.
In other Leeds news, Simon Jordan wants ‘huge’ Leeds to avoid relegation, Jim White agrees