Heckingbottom poised to make huge Leeds mistake with £6.5m Monk man, Orta must intervene fast
COMMENT
Leeds are reportedly interested in bringing striker Ashley Fletcher to Leeds in the summer, with manager Paul Heckingbottom a huge fan.
The Gazette has reported that Heckingbottom wanted to sign him in January at Barnsley before the striker joined Sunderland on loan.
Heckingbottom previously managed him at Barnsley and are still so close that the striker phoned him to ask for advice when Middlesbrough came in for him while he was at West Ham.
He ended up making the £6.5million move to play under former Leeds manager Gary Monk last summer, but it hasn't worked out for him.
And now Heckingbottom wants to bring him to Elland Road if he's made available for loan again this summer – which looks very likely.
Fletcher scored just one Championship goal before being sent out on loan in January to struggling Sunderland, where the promising striker blanked again, with just one goal for his new club.
This is a player who once promised the earth with Man United and then West Ham, but two goals in 30 Championship games is a terrible return.
Heckingbottom might think that if anyone can get the most out of him it's him, but it would be a terrible mistake.
Fletcher's wages will be high, he's been on a downwards trajectory for the past couple of years and he's already proved that he can't score in the Championship.
Leeds don't need a gamble and they don't need players who Heckingbottom wants to sign because he knows.
Leeds fans might have savagely criticised Orta over the past few months over his transfer business, but it seems that giving the reigns to Heckingbottom could be even more disastrous.
Orta must pull rank here and convince the Leeds hierarchy that a move for Fletcher would be terrible and wrest control back over the summer transfers.
Otherwise Leeds are in real danger of becoming another Barnsley.