Mallik Wilks is set to complete a move from Carlisle United on loan from Leeds United in the next 48 hours, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The regional newspaper claim that the League Two club are close to finalising a deal with the Championship giants in which the teenage striker, 19, joins for the remainder of the campaign.
The Yorkshire Evening Post report that Wilks is expected to link up with Keith Curle’s Carlisle by Saturday morning in time for their home game against Forest Green Rovers later that day.
It is said that the centre-forward does not feature in the first-team plans of manager Thomas Christiansen after he spent the last fortnight with the club’s Under-23s.
Wilks spent the first half of the campaign with another League Two club Accrington Stanley, where he scored five goals in 24 appearances across all competitions.
Carlisle are 13th in the division and seem assured of maintaining their fourth-tier status.
Good move for Leeds?
Wilks is a rising star and highly thought of at Leeds after graduating from their academy with flying colours but he is not yet ready to be pitched into a Championship promotion battle. The teenager has already proved this season that he can cut it in League Two and will benefit from another spell in English football’s fourth tier, especially if he plays regularly, as expected. This is a sensible move from Leeds and should further pave the way for Wilks to hone his game.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
If the Yorkshire Evening Post report a deal is nearly done, then an official announcement is usually not far away. Expect Wilks to be unveiled by Carlisle in the next 24 hours.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10