Exclusive: Leeds set sights on 25-yr-old playmaker to replace Samuel Saiz

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

01 Apr 2019, 5:02 am

EXCLUSIVE By Pete O'Rourke

Leeds United have set their sights on Wigan Athletic playmaker Nick Powell as a possible replacement for Samuel Saiz this summer, Football Insider understands.

The former Manchester United player is out of contract at the relegation-threatened Championship club at the end of the season.

A source close to the player has told Football Insider that Powell's situation is being monitored closely by Leeds among a number of Championship and top-flight clubs ahead of the summer window.

United believe the 25-year-old has the ability to thrive not only in the English second tier, but also in the Premier League if they were to get promoted this season.

Powell began the season on fire for Wigan, scoring in the club's first three league matches of the campaign, before suffering an injury in November that ruled him out for three months.

He has recently returned to full fitness and his 25 Championship appearances have yielded six goals and six assists.

Leeds are in the market for a number 10 who can link the midfield and attack and provide some of the creativity and inventiveness that has been missing since Saiz joined Getafe on loan in December.

Second-placed Leeds are already drawing up a list of transfer targets even though it is not yet known which division they will be playing in next season.

As revealed by Football Insider last Friday, Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is also on their radar.

In other Leeds United transfer news, it can be REVEALED the club have agreed a fee with rival club as deal is done to sign attacker ahead of summer window.

West Bromwich Albion

Leeds United