'Unbelievable' - Exclusive: Whelan reacts to Bielsa U-turn after 'Huge' Leeds bid

EXCLUSIVE

Noel Whelan has expressed his disappointment that Leeds United did not sign Ryan Kent as well as Eddie Nketiah this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-United striker claimed the club would have landed an outstanding attacker if they had sealed a deal for Kent during extensive negotiations with Liverpool.

As revealed by Football Insider, Leeds tabled a bid of £7million for Kent before the window shut early last month, but Marcelo Bielsa made a U-turn and sanctioned the loan signing of Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal instead.

Kent subsequently signed for Rangers on the Scottish deadline day on Monday for a fee of £7.5million including add-ons.

"It would have been unbelievable for Leeds to have got Ryan Kent and Nketiah," Whelan told Football Insider. "If Leeds had wanted him, they could have got him as they have money in the bank after their summer transfer activity.

"We needed a centre-forward after selling Kemar Roofe, and that was the priority. We have an abundance of wingers and, in the end, going for Nketiah was probably the right decision.

"Could we have got both? It would have been brilliant. I've watched a lot of Ryan Kent and he is a top talent. He's young and is only going to get better, so Rangers have got a real player, there.

"Was it unbelievable for Bielsa to change his mind after such a huge bid? You could say that. Only time will tell and the proof is in where Leeds finish in the league."

Nketiah is yet to start a league match for Leeds but has already scored three times for his temporary employers, twice in the League Cup and once as a substitute in the Championship.

In other Leeds United news, Whelan has REVEALED how he has spoken to Whites first teamer left 'broken' by events of last weekend.