Caleb Ekuban is set to return to Leeds United at the end of the season rather than join Trabzonspor on a permanent deal, according to Fanatik.
The Turkish newspaper claim Trabzonspor will not take up the option to convert the striker’s season-long loan into a full-time transfer unless he makes a huge impact in the rest of the campaign.
Fanatik report Ekuban joined the Turkish club on loan with the option to convert to a permanent transfer for £200,000 on 31 May of next year.
Good move for Leeds?
Not really. United would have wanted Ekuban to thrive in Turkey and either develop his game significantly or do enough to earn a permanent move. The centre-forward’s time in the Super Lig has echoes of his spell at Elland Road last season, when his willingness and enthusiasm failed to compensate for an absence of composure, class or goalscoring ability. Outside of the box, Ekuban is a handful but, rather than possessing ice in his veins when it comes to goal-scoring opportunities, he is a furnace of heat. As his parent club, Leeds will be eager for the player’s market value to increase over the coming months, but that won’t happen unless he gets into the Trabzonspor side and starts banging in the goals.
This Is Futbol rating 3/10
Likely to return to Elland Road?
With Trazbonspor reportedly having a £200,000 right of redemption it seems unlikely they will activate it. That means it’s likely Ekuban will return to Elland Road for pre-season in the summer of 2019. The likelihood, though, is the Ghanaian-born Italian will head out on loan again.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10