Widely respected journalist Phil Hay has told The Athletic’s Molineux View podcast that Barry Douglas is “on his way” out of Leeds United ahead of Friday’s domestic deadline – with multiple Championship clubs linked.
It has been a difficult last 12 months for Douglas. Last season during the club’s return to the Premier League, Douglas managed just 17 appearances in all competitions. Injury and a lack of momentum has hampered his progress.
It is well-documented that Douglas was frustrated to be sold by Wolves immediately after helping them gain promotion to the Premier League – and now it looks as though the same pattern could be emerging for the one-time Scotland man.
Indeed, he has entered the final 12 months of his £10k-a-week (Spotrac) contract at Elland Road. With Douglas yet to even make the bench for Leeds in the Premier League after four games, Hay stated that he is set to leave the club.
“It tells its own story that Stuart Dallas is currently the best left-back at the club. There is interest, Watford are very keen, Blackburn have spoken about him,” Hay claimed.
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“On the basis that he didn’t make the 18 against City, when Jack Harrison was unavailable, if, in those circumstances, Douglas isn’t in the 18 you know he’s on his way.”
Celtic were reportedly in talks with Leeds about Douglas earlier on in the window, while the Lancashire Telegraph now claim that Blackburn and Tony Mowbray are interested – with Watford having cooled their interest.
A permanent exit is likely given his contract situation and it appears after just two years, Douglas could be set to leave Leeds after just 44 appearances in all competitions. Whether he wants to do just that, remains to be seen.
