Leeds United are in pursuit of Bristol City winger Callum O’Dowda as a potential January recruit as Marcelo Bielsa’s side seek out a new winger this month, according to Sky Sports journalist Tim Thornton.
The north of England reporter for the broadcaster claims on his personal Twitter account that the Whites are keeping close tabs on the 23-year-old, who has 15 caps for the Republic of Ireland, in their pursuit of a new wide man.
I understand Leeds are looking into Bristol City winger Callum O’Dowda as an option as they pursue a new winger #lufc
— Tim Thornton (@SkySports_Tim) January 15, 2019
O’Dowda has appeared 24 times for Bristol City this season, 22 of those coming in the Championship, and has two goals and four assists to his name, having scored just one other league goal in his two-and-a-half years at the Championship outfit.
Good move for Leeds?
The Republic of Ireland winger looks like he took a bit of time bedding into the Championship but is finally finding his feet with the Robins – but is he really the quality Leeds are after?
Not only do the Whites need to find talents ready made for the second tier, they also need to be considering how well any new signings are going to perform in the Premier League with promotion very much the target this season.
O’Dowda just does not have the record of someone who is going to blow the Elland Road faithful away and while he might come good under Marcelo Bielsa, there are definitely more exciting options for the club out there.
Perhaps best they keep hunting down other targets to bolster their options out wide.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10
Likely to happen?
It seems as though the Bristol City man is just one of a number of options on Leeds’ list and so is likely just a backup on Bielsa’s shortlist.
Leeds are in a position where they have one hand on promotion and are likely to do everything they can to get their top targets in and get over the line into the elite of English football.
As such, fans should not be getting O’Dowda’s name on the back of their shirts just yet.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10