Matthew Pennington wants to join Leeds United by next Monday after being told by Everton to find a loan club for the upcoming season, according to Leeds Live.
The Trinity Mirror site claim the Premier League club have given the green light for Pennington to go on a second season-long loan following his 2017/18 campaign at Elland Road.
Leeds Live report Pennington wants to join the Yorkshire giants ahead of his other suitors Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers, and is keen to be training with them by the start of next week.
Good move for Leeds?
Pennington had an unremarkable debut season at Leeds. He wasn’t awful, but neither was he the commanding centre-back the team so desperately need alongside Pontus Jansson. True, the 6ft 1in Premier League man (source: Transfermarkt) suffered a few serious injuries, but he never looked anything other than a decent third choice. His performances were marked by nervousness in possession and occasional poor judgement. But there were also enough signs that he could thrive if given enough opportunity to play regularly. Everton wouldn’t have handed him a three-year contract in May if they didn’t rate him.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
Given Pennington’s reported preference to rejoin Leeds for a second spell and the relationships already in place with those at the club, this deal is now looking very likely. Much will depend upon the loan fee and the contribution United are willing to make to the player’s wages, but neither Wigan or Bolton are massive spenders, and the Yorkshire giants are in the box seat.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10