By Frank McAvennie

2nd Dec, 2020 | 3:48pm

McAvennie Exclusive: Leeds tipped to hand pro deal to wonderkid striker - 'Definitely'

Frank McAvennie has tipped Leeds United youngster Jimiel Chikukwa to earn a professional contract at the club after a fine start to the 2020/21 campaign.

The former West Ham and Celtic striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, insisted it would be “stupid” not to keep the 17-year-old striker at Elland Road beyond next summer.

In his second season as a scholar with the Whites, Chikukwa has scored five goals in five starts for the Under-18s.

The Zimbabwean forward is appraoching a pivotal year in his career where he could be released by Leeds or handed his first professional contract by the club.

McAvennie is hopeful that Chikukwa’s agent has the player’s best interests at heart.

“Anyone who scores five goals in five games is a fantastic player,” he told Football Insider.

“It does not matter who you are playing against, that is a hell of a task.

“I definitely think they will get the boy tied down to a new contract.

“The club would be stupid not to because come January, depending on his agent, he might set up a move to try and earn big money. If his agent is in it for the player and has his best interests at heart he will get him to sign a new contract at Leeds.

“He is doing well and it should just be another stepping stone in his career.”  

In other Leeds United news, Kevin Campbell has told Football Insider that first teamer is a “massive threat” and a “shrewd signing”.