da gbg bet： Pundit Kevin Phillips has been reacting to Leeds United’s interest in Blackburn Rovers midfielder John Buckley, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Midfielders wanted
da jogodeouro： Victor Orta is thought to be ‘busy’ when it comes to searching for midfield reinforcements at Elland Road, with the Whites after RB Salzburg’s Brenden Aaronson.
Leeds have had a £15m bid turned down for the American but are intent on signing the 21-year-old before the end of the month.
Buckley is another player of interest to Leeds, with Burnley also keen on the 22-year-old, who can play as a central, defensive or right midfielder.
The Latest: Phillips reacts
Phillips, who regularly features for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding Leeds’ interest in Buckley.
He labelled Buckley being versatile as a ‘bonus’ and labelled a possible deal as ‘big’.
“Blackburn have been in great form this season and he’s been a big part of that. If you get a good player from a club that is flying in the Championship midway through the season you’ve done well.
“He’s a centre-midfielder which is a position Leeds desperately need to strengthen in. He’s versatile as well which is a bonus, so it’s a big signing if they can do it.
“At the end of the day though, it’s always a gamble signing a player from the Championship. It’s a jump to the Premier League. It could be a signing that pays off though.
“From Blackburn’s point of view, there is no way [Tony] Mowbray will let any of those players go on the cheap.”
The Verdict: Shrewd move?
It seems as if Leeds will need to spend big on Aaronson after having a £15m offer rejected. Should they manage to bring the American to Elland Road, then perhaps funds will be limited when it comes to the club’s search for a deeper midfielder.
Buckley could be the perfect addition then considering his £720,000 Transfermarkt valuation, but you’d expect Leeds may have to pay way more than that figure given he has been a regular in an impressive Rovers side this season.
A fee under eight figures could still be a shrewd move in the long run, with Buckley possibly Marcelo Bielsa’s dream player after already playing in eight different positions in 27 games in 2021/22.
In other news: Positive Leeds injury claim regarding two players emerges.