Mallik Wilks is set to join Grimsby on loan from Leeds United today (Friday) after deciding to join them ahead of two other League Two clubs, according to a reliable journalist.
BBC Radio Leeds correspondent Adam Pope reported on his personal Twitter account that Wilks, 19, will head to Blundell Park despite strong interest from Carlisle and Chesterfield.
Pope explains that Grimsby have won the race for the centre-forward’s signature and he will join on a loan that runs for the remainder of the season.
Leeds United striker Mallik Wilks is now expected to join Grimsby Town on loan tomorrow. The 19 year old forward also had the options of Carlisle & Chesterfield but it’s believed Blundell Park is the preferred destination. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/XkgIbXIfia
— Adam Pope (@APOPEY) January 25, 2018
Wilks is expected to link up with Grimsby, who are 16th in the league table, in time to make his debut in their league clash at home to Luton Town tomorrow.
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.
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 and learn his trade in a division where competition is fierce and nothing comes easy. If Wilks can continue to make progress, he will return to Elland Road an even better player.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
Wilks had been set to join Carlisle just hours earlier but, following a U-turn from the player, it now appears he is heading to their League Two rivals instead. If a BBC journalist reports that a deal is nearly done, then an official announcement is usually not far away. Expect Wilks to be unveiled by Grimsby at some point today.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10