Whelan cites Harrison as new Leeds loan-to-buy attacker deal mooted
Noel Whelan has suggested Leeds United could sign Michy Batshuayi on a loan-to-buy deal from Chelsea.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 27-year-old needed to “prove himself worthy” before a permanent move to Elland Road.
The Telegraph claim Leeds are interested in signing the Belgium international as Chelsea look to cash in on his sale.
Batshuayi signed a one-year contract extension with Chelsea before he joined Crystal Palace on loan last summer.
As such, he is heading into the final 12 months of his deal at Stamford Bridge.
However, Whelan suggested another loan, with a view to buy, could be on the cards at Elland Road.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think you’ve got to play it safe. I don’t think you should be splashing the cash straight away.
“He’s a player that’s been a ‘maybe’ so far. Still question marks over him, whether he can do it, adapt and be that striker everyone expected him to be.
“There’s still a massive kind of question mark hanging over his head. At the same time, a manager would not feel that he’s taking a risk if he thinks he can get that out of him and knows how to get the best out of him.
“Marcelo Bielsa is very shrewd. I think the club would do the right thing, which is give him that year. Pretty much like they’ve done with Harrison. He had to prove himself and that’s the same thing that Batshuayi would have to do as well.
“He’d have to prove himself worthy of a full-time contract at Leeds.”
Batshuayi only netted twice in 18 Premier League game for Palace last term.
His last Chelsea appearance came in February 2019.
In other news, Leeds United have been offered chance to re-sign former star for £20million.