Premier League experience seems to be a consistent trait among the players that are being linked with moves to Leeds United this summer – and one option has opened the door to an Elland Road move.
The new-look transfer team of sporting director Adam Underwood and head of recruitment Alex Davies have been thrown in at the deep end, with this summer one of Leeds’ most-important transfer windows.
The gap between Championship and Premier League is widening and every signing The Whites make has got to hit the ground running. Premier League experience then is the way forward, in Underwood’s eyes.
That is proven in the players most recently linked with Leeds. Vladimir Coufal, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Sean Longstaff, Abdoulaye Doucoure and plenty of others currently playing in the top flight of English football.
Callum Wilson discusses his future amid links with Leeds United
Nine-time England star Wilson is being linked with a move to Leeds. His Newcastle deal is coming to an end, but the Toon do have an option to extend it. However, it is unlikely Wilson’s extension is triggered.
The former Bournemouth striker told The High Performance Podcast that he remains “hungry” before stating he knows “his worth” and informing presenter Jake Humphrey he has stayed fit this year.
“I know my worth, I know my value. I’m still so hungry inside. I know Alex [Isak] is scoring goals, I’m still frustrated when the team sheet comes out and I’m not starting so I know I’m not ready to leave football.
“I’d love to leave football before football leaves me, I’d never let an injury stop me. I’ve been fit now four-and-a-half months but I’ve probably only played 250 or 300 minutes and that is frustrating,” he added.
“It’s all new for me at the moment but I’m just enjoying life, enjoying football and playing with a smile on my face. What’s meant to be will be,” Wilson continued, discussing his future with a Newcastle exit likely.
The key stumbling block Leeds face in pursuit of Callum Wilson…
Wilson fits the bill for Leeds. A player that has scored regularly in the Premier League and while he has failed to do so this season, he has only started twice. Last season, he still managed to score nine goals.
However, the impasse Leeds will find is Wilson’s wages. Currently, he is believed to be earning £110,000 a week at St. James’ Park, one of Newcastle’s highest-paid players. He would easily be Leeds’ top earner.
If Leeds are to convince Wilson to move to Yorkshire, then a contract is going to have to be a whole lot smaller this summer. Perhaps, even around the halfway mark. Wilson will want Premier League football.
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