Exclusive: Whelan believes Leeds have left footer exit deal in place after manager reveal
Noel Whelan says Leeds United must have an exit deal in place for Laurens De Bock after Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson revealed he had been recalled.
The former Leeds striker and lifelong fan at Elland Road, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says he does not believe the Whites would cut short the deal without having a future move lined up.
Parkinson confirmed on New Year’s Day that the left-back, 27, had seen his loan spell cut short by Leeds, citing personal reasons as the explanation behind the decision.
With the Sunderland boss saying that De Bock wants a move back to Belgium, Whelan says Leeds must have a move in the pipeline to have cut short his time at the Stadium of Light.
Asked if he thought a deal was in place, Whelan told Football Insider: “I think so, I don’t think you recall somebody without an option being available. You wouldn’t do that to a player.
“If he’s homesick and wants to go back to Belgium, if that’s where you prefer to be and you’d be happiest then the club will do everything possible to give him his demands.”
De Bock has been a major flop for Leeds since his capture back in January 2018, with just seven first-team appearances for the Whites.
The left-footed Belgian spent time on loan at KV Oostende before heading to Sunderland this summer, managing to make just 10 appearances for the Black Cats before his temporary spell was cut short.
In other Leeds United news, Darren Bent claims that the club have opened talks over a “great” signing.