OPINION
There is little doubt that Leeds United need to get the ball rolling over some new summer signings this summer if they are to match the ambition shown by the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa – and it looks as though their most exciting capture is just round the corner.
In what has been a surprise twist of events on Wednesday, the Daily Mail first claimed that the Whites had seen a bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ left back Barry Douglas accepted by the Championship title winners, before revealing that the player had agreed to personal terms of a move to Elland Road.
With a move for a man who managed to pick up a sensational 15 assists for his team mates edging ever closer to completion, Bielsa will no doubt be plotting what to do with the current left sided defenders at the club – namely Laurens De Bock and Tom Pearce.
The Belgian was a January capture from Club Brugge, but failed to hit the ground running, with 20-year-old Pearce taking his place for much of the season and establishing himself as something of a revelation in the role.
While Bielsa could keep the pair at the club upon Douglas’ seemingly imminent arrival, with both having tasted senior action last season they are unlikely to be open to sitting on the sidelines once again.
Pearce will be wanting to continue his run of form from the last campaign in the first team, and as such a loan spell could well be on the cards, while De Bock is also likely to want to retain a regular role, but will likely have to fight with Douglas to keep in the side.
The duo are therefore within the firing line as Bielsa continues to mould the squad to his liking, and one of the pair is likely to depart before summer is over.