Leeds United have a loan offer on the table for Everton defender Matthew Pennington as they look at bringing in two more loan signings this month, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The regional newspaper claim United are pursuing a deal for the 23-year-old after the window for permanent deals closed yesterday (Thursday) with the club failing to add to their five summer signings.
The Yorkshire Evening Post report Everton are weighing up offers for Pennington from other clubs as Leeds look to bring in new players for the centre-back and central midfield positions before the 31 August cut-off.
OPINION
Yes, Leeds started the season with a brilliant 3-1 win against Stoke. And, yes, Marcelo Bielsa’s public stance is that he is “happy” with his squad. But the Argentine alchemist would have to be a true miracle worker to turn this United squad into play-off certainties. The team is still lacking in too many areas, not just at centre-back and central midfield but also out wide. When Stuart Dallas is your back-up winger and Eunan O’Kane your reserve central midfielder, you’re in trouble. The loan market can still provide Leeds with the answers to their squad shortfalls, but it will frustrate fans that a centre-back of greater quality than Pennington has not been signed permanently. The 23-year-old had a mixed campaign last season, marked by niggling injury and average performances. Leeds’ centre-back options are way below those of two years ago, when Garry Monk so nearly led the team catapulted by Chris Wood’s goals into the play-offs. Is there a better loan option available than the Everton fringe man. There should be.