The Athletic say Lew Bate is ‘set’ to leave Leeds United on loan or permanently this summer even after a solid year with League One side Oxford United in 22-23 – with Phil Hay writing he is a long way from the ‘first-team picture’.
Bate, 20, joined Leeds in the summer of 2021 and made a solid start to life in his first year – even breaking into the senior side under Jesse Marsch, playing four times at senior level. He joined League One side Oxford last summer.
He quickly became a crucial part of Oxford’s three-man midfield, that avoided relegation. Towards the end of the season, though, a hand injury saw him return to Leeds – after clocking up 35 appearances. A very solid loan spell.
Bought for £1.5m and compared to Clarence Seedorf, Bate clearly has potential. With Leeds dropping into the Championship, you might have thought Bate would have been given a chance. He will be observed in pre-season.
But Hay says that Bate is ‘set’ to move out on loan and could even leave the club permanently this summer. Despite relegation, and the potential exit of more midfielders after Weston McKennie – he is not in the first-team picture.
Bate set to leave Leeds on loan or permanently this summer
What next for Bate, then? It seems silly not to at least take a look at him this summer. He could have the necessary tools to at least provide cover for the first-team midfielders – whether that is Tyler Adams, Darko Gyabi or whoever.
But, if he is keen to go and play regular football, then a loan looks the best option. Perhaps, a loan with a permanent option as was the case with Jamie Shackleton at Millwall last season. Shackleton has also returned to Elland Road.
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