Michael Carrick speaks out about permanent move for Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has confirmed decisions will have to be made on the long-term future of Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood and time will tell.
The Boro manager revealed his delight at having Greenwood at the club and was full of praise for how he has performed so far, but played down talk of a permanent move materialising just yet.
This comes shortly after it was reported in The Athletic [8 October] that there is an option to buy in Greenwood’s contract that could see Middlesbrough make his deal permanent for £1.5million.
Speaking to Teesside Live, reported on 7 November, Carrick was asked if a permanent move was on the cards, when he shared: “Time will tell on that. At the moment he’s doing well for us and we’re delighted to have him.
“As time goes on, there will be decisions to be made, but at this moment in time, it’s about performances now and I couldn’t ask for any more from him.
“Sam has done well and had a big impact in different ways. He’s good quality and he offers a lot on the ball. His flexibility in that and how hard he works out of possession with his aggression, he gives us an awful lot.
“I think you can see he’s really settled in now.”
A move looks inevitable
With the release fee in his loan deal at such a low price, combined with his performances under Carrick so far this season and the fact he would be unlikely to find a place in the first-team at Elland Road makes this move look inevitable.
Carrick’s comments make it seem even more likely, with his delight at Greenwood’s performances so far and his claim that he has already settled into the dressing room at Middlesbrough suggesting that the forward sees his long-term future in Teesside.
If he did return to Elland Road rather than staying on Teesside, it’s unlikely Daniel Farke would be able to find a place for him in his side. Goerginio Rutter, Joel Piroe, and Patrick Bamford are just three of the players above Greenwood in the pecking order.
The permanent fee would have been agreed in the deal with Leeds being in full knowledge that he is now surplus to requirements at Elland Road, and that permanent move is looking more and more likely.
In other Leeds United news, an update has emerged on Patrick Bamford’s future.