Contrary to reports, this Leeds summer signing didn’t cost the club a penny – reliable journalist
By Alex Stevens
Eunan O’Kane did not cost Leeds a penny when they prised him from Bournemouth during the summer window, according to a reliable journalist.
Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay made the revelation when discussing the 26-year-old midfielder on Twitter.
Responding to a question from Leeds fans, Hay reported on his personal Twitter account that the cost of O’Kane to the Championship club was “basically free”.
But Hay pointed out that there is a “big sell-on clause” in the deal, which would mean Bournemouth and potentially O’Kane’s other former club Torquay getting a significant slice of any future profit Leeds make from him.
O’Kane joined Leeds on deadline day in the summer window after a deal was agreed at a time he had a year remaining on his Bournemouth contract.
It was widely reported at the time that the Yorkshire club paid around £1million for the five-times Republic of Ireland international, who made 118 appearances for Eddie Howe’s side.
O’Kane has established himself as a mainstay of the Leeds side that is mounting an against-the-odds promotion bid this season.
Currently sidelined with a groin injury that has sidelined him for the last four matches, he has been a first choice in central midfield and has started 12 of the club’s 22 Championship games.
In other Leeds news, the club are in talks to sign a £2million Premier League striker.