A range of players have been linked to Leeds ahead of the winter transfer window.
Daniel Farke could use a new signing or two in order to keep momentum going at Leeds, after the win over Chelsea and the draw against Liverpool lifted spirits around Elland Road.
Josh Mulligan of Hibernian is one player under consideration by Leeds as the Daily Mail say an approach has been made – Aston Villa are also admirers – and his manager David Gray has now discussed the transfer speculation.
David Gray suggests Josh Mulligan is not focusing on Leeds United links
This deal might be more likely to happen in the summer for Leeds based on what the 37-year-old has now said, as he reveals Mulligan is currently focused on playing weekly ahead of the World Cup.
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Edinburgh News quote Gray as saying: “I think if people are speaking well of you or highly of you, then you must be doing something right. Sometimes your job is to bring them back down to earth, but I’ve never had to do that, to be honest, with any of them here. Josh just goes about his business the same every day. I wind him up now and again for being not the brightest, but he’s a brilliant boy to work with.
“He’s one of a few of the players that will be looking at the carrot of the World Cup next summer, and potentially what could happen there. How can you give yourself the best chance? The best possible opportunity for him is to play as well as he can week in, week out. That’s his full motivation and concentration at the minute.”
It might take some weeks or months for Mulligan – still only 23 – to break into the starting XI at Leeds and adapt to the Premier League, precious time he cannot afford to waste as he aims to go to the World Cup with Scotland.
Leeds United should still attempt to negotiate a summer deal for Josh Mulligan in January
Aston Villa are not the only threat Leeds face to sign the Scotland U21 international.
Lille and Wolfsburg are also monitoring Mulligan as he shines for Hibernian.
Gray’s comments suggest Leeds may have to wait until the summer, but the 49ers risk allowing more competitors for his signature to enter the scene if that happens.
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Therefore, we feel it would be a good idea for Leeds to try and strike some kind of gentleman’s agreement with Hibernian and Mulligan now, ahead of a move in the summer.
Leeds could also sign the versatile Scot – who some compare to Gareth Bale – and loan him back to Hibernian as a way to beat the chasing pack to his signature.
However a potential deal is structured, it very much sounds as if Mulligan wants to stay with Hibernian for at least the remainder of this season.
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