OPINION
It is increasingly clear that Leeds United have a major gem on their hands in Mallik Wilks.
Evidence is also mounting that the Championship big hitters face a growing battle to hang on to the 18-year-old striker.
A report by Football Insider claimed today that Everton and Newcastle are keeping close tabs on Wilks, while Garry Monk’s Middlesbrough are also closely monitoring him.
Intriguingly, the teenage spearhead has been on the radar of the Premier League big guns for the last 18 months, dating back to when he was honing his craft as a precocious 16-year-old already appearing regularly for Leeds Under-23s.
With young players, the biggest leap is making the step up from youth-team football against your peers, even perhaps a few age groups above, to the senior game against experienced pros.
After a single appearance in the FA Cup for Leeds last season, Wilks has made a real impression while on a half-season loan at Accrington that ends in January.
The teenager has been used sparingly at the League Two outfit but has earned rave reviews with a debut equaliser versus Notts County and further strikes against Chesterfield in the league and Middlesbrough in the EFL Trophy.
His pace, mobility, movement and clinical touch have made him a favourite with the supporters of the fourth-tier club, which is both good and bad news for Leeds.
The Yorkshire giants know Wilks is an unpolished diamond, and the vultures are circling.
Suddenly, Leeds have a massive problem and it could all come to a head in January when the youngster returns to his parent club and the transfer window re-opens.
Wilks signed a 12-month contract extension before heading out on loan in August but it only tied him to Elland Road until the summer of 2019.
That makes Leeds vulnerable to a January bid from a better-financed club able to sell the dream and the possibility of a huge pay rise to Wilks.
Andrea Radrizzani has not been shy of sanctioning four and five year contracts to the club’s senior players since taking sole charge in May.
He must do the same with Wilks, or face the prospect of losing him for a cut-price fee.