OPINION
Leeds are reportedly expected to sign Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on loan to finally solve their left-back dilemma.
Bleacher Report’s transfer expert Dean Jones claimed on his personal Twitter account that the 20-year-old left-back is likely to join the Yorkshire giants, with first-team opportunities at Old Trafford slim.
Leeds expected to sign Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on loan from Man United.
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesSoccer) August 3, 2017
This comes after the Daily Mail claimed that the England youth international was interesting Leeds on their transfer news blog (Wednesday July 5, 04:49pm).
The fleet-footed left-back has experience of playing football in the Championship after joining Wolves on loan last season, but managed to make just seven first-team appearances.
Leeds have already completed 10 new-first team signings in Felix Wiedwald, Matthew Pennington, Vurnon Anita, Mateusz Klich, Ezgjan Alioski, Ouasim Buoy, Samu Saiz and Caleb Ekuban as well as permanent deals for Pontus Jansson and Hadi Sacko.
Here, This Is Futbol analyses if signing Borthwick-Jackson is a good move, and whether the move seems to be likely.
Good move for Leeds?
Signing a left-back is paramount to Leeds’ chances of promotion next season.
The loss of Charlie Taylor, Leeds’ 2015-16 player of the season, will come as a huge loss when the 2017-18 season finally gets underway on Sunday as Leeds travel to Bolton.
However, head coach Thomas Christiansen has decided to bring a multitude of new first-team players to Elland Road without adding a left-back to the Leeds squad, with Gaetano Berardi expected to start on the left side of defence on Sunday.
Bringing Borthwick-Jackson to Yorkshire then would be a good signing as it finally fills a hole, but questions marks remain around his quality after making just seven appearances during a half-season loan spell.
This Is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
It has now been widely reported the quick defender is expected to put pen to paper on a loan deal with the Championship side, and barring any unexpected developments, a move should be reportedly completed.
One thing that remains unsure is the agreement of how regularly Borthwick-Jackson will be used. If he is to be used as a first-team defender and one of the first names on the team sheet, then a deal should be concluded quickly.
However, his form at Wolves would suggest that he is more likely to be used as back-up to Berardi and it remains to be seen if the Manchester-born ace is willing to do that.
Christiansen should also take into account Leeds fans’ opinion on such a deal, with Manchester United being the Whites’ bitter rivals. Signing a player from United could cause backlash, and that is something that must be avoided.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10