Leeds set to reject January bids for attacker after Bielsa U-turn – Sources
Leeds United are set to knock back January loan bids for Ryan Edmondson unless they bring in a new forward, Football Insider understands.
The teenage striker, 18, was the subject of strong interest from Football League clubs during the summer, up until the deadline for League One and League Two at the start of this month.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider that Marcelo Bielsa had been willing for Edmondson to be loaned out at one point earlier in the window but then changed his mind.
The Argentine felt he needed back-up to his two senior centre-forwards, Patrick Bamford and on-loan Eddie Nketiah, and believes Edmondson is capable of challenging for a squad place as the season goes on.
The Leeds coaching staff know that the powerful spearhead would benefit from playing regularly at a senior level, most likely in one of the two lower leagues in the EFL, but are wary of injury depriving them of one of their two main men.
Bamford has a patchy injury history – he missed a big chunk of his debut campaign due to two serious knee injuries – while Nketiah is only just adjusting to regular first-team football.
England Under-19 cap Edmondson has made only two appearances for the Leeds first team but is regarded as an alternative to the Bamford and Nketiah.
Edmondson has failed to make the Leeds matchday squad this season and has instead been playing for the Under-23s.
He spent the majority of last season in the Under-23s and his prolific scoring and forward play was key to them lifting the Professional Development League title.
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