Leeds player close to agreeing move to PL club, journalist claims £6m fee is unlikely
By Richard Parks
Leeds United will secure a significant compensation fee from the exit of Tom Pearce but it won't match the £6million they received for Charlie Taylor, according to a reliable journalist.
The Sun on Sunday (13 May, page 63) reported that Everton are working on a deal to re-sign Pearce, 20, as Leighton Baines' long-term successor at left-back four years after they let him go for free.
In an exchange with Leeds fans, Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay reported on his personal Twitter account that Leeds are in line for a fee, either agreed or via a tribunal, for but the deal won't be on the same level due to the number of appearances both made before running down their contracts.
Football Insider verdict:
If Leeds were able to secure even half the Taylor fee, that would be decent business. In truth, the club have been totally wrongfooted by Pearce, whose progress in the final weeks of the season made the Premier League big guns sit up and take notice. Had he not started five matches at the end of the campaign due Gaetano Berardi's suspension and long-term injuries to senior full-backs Luke Ayling and Laurens De Bock, it is likely Everton would not be on his trail and he would sign the contract on offer from United. But that now looks increasingly unlikely, as a glamorous move to the Premier League club. A natural left footer who is mobile, energetic and composed in possession, many Leeds fans couldn't believe Pearce hadn't been promoted earlier given so many iffy displays from De Bock, Berardi and Ayling this season. There are few things supporters like more than academy products shining in the senior side and supporters will be hugely disappointed if he becomes the second left-back in 12 months to run down his contract and move up a division.