Confirmed: Leeds player close to Manchester United transfer
By Alex Stevens
Leeds goalkeeper Theo Richardson is closing in on a transfer to Manchester United, it has been confirmed.
Richardson, 18, was named in the matchday squad for United in their 2-2 Premier League Under-18 draw against Liverpool last Friday.
The official United website reported that the Leeds academy player was one of two unused substitutes and did not get any match time in the youth clash at Altrincham’s J Davidson Stadium.
Nevertheless, Richardson’s place in the squad shows he is being closely assessed by the Premier League giants ahead of a possible transfer.
It comes after the unofficial Leeds United Academy Twitter account claimed that the Elland Road second-year scholar was undergoing a trial at United.
The same account had reported at the start of the month that Richardson has been told by Leeds he will not be handed a professional contract when his scholarship comes to an end in the summer.
United appear to have seized upon the unexpected availability of Richardson, 18, who has been been in Leeds’ Under-18s side this season, which is managed by Andy Gray and Mark Jackson.
It is common for trials to be handed to emerging players with a view to earning a contract and another former Leeds academy player Frank Mulhern, 19, underwent a trial at Huddersfield last month before sealing a transfer to the Championship rivals.
Richardson will hope to make a similarly short move as he aims to bounce back from the disappointment of not getting a new contract at Leeds.
The unofficial Leeds United academy account is establishing a reputation as an increasingly reliable source of Leeds youth team news.
The account also revealed a fortnight ago that Richardson has been told that he is free to leave the club.
The Leeds senior side are back in action on Saturday night when they host fellow promotion hopefuls Brighton in a Championship clash at Elland Road.
In other Leeds transfer news, the club are to pounce and re-sign a 23-year-old after a £10million transfer is all but sealed.
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