OPINION
Leeds United are unlikely to stand a chance in their hunt to sign Bristol City star Josh Brownhill after it was reported that the Ashton Gate club would want over £15million for the midfielder.
Sky Sports claimed via their live transfer blog on Friday [09:56am] that Leeds were among a clutch of clubs interested in signing Brownhill, 23, this summer.
Brighton, Sheffield United and Derby were also said to be in pursuit of the former Preston midfielder.
However since that report by Sky surfaced, Bristol Live has claimed that the Robins have no interest in selling Brownhill and if they did, it would take more than £15million to pry him away from Ashton Gate.
It is no surprise to see Bristol City want so much for Brownhill because the central midfielder was a key player in Lee Johnson’s side last season as he made 49 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and supplying four goals in the process.
Brownhill is still relatively young at 23 and he is also English, so Bristol City’s valuation, in this day and age, is definitely fair.
Unfortunately for Leeds, City’s £15million-plus price-tag effectively rules them out of a move.
Owner Andrea Radrizzani has recently admitted that it will be a “difficult” summer transfer window at Elland Road and even suggested that Marcelo Bielsa will have to make the most out of the club’s youth system next season [Yorkshire Post].
Radrizzani has reportedly been in talks about his future as Leeds owner with advanced discussions about selling a share to Qatar Sports Investments [New York Times].
The American newspaper reported in early June that QSI could even completely buy Radrizzani out of Leeds, and as unlikely as that may seem right now, it might be the Whites’ only chance of signing Brownhill this summer.