OPINION
Leeds United could play a blinder if they sign Liverpool forward Harry Wilson this summer after Danny Mills claimed that the Wales international can be snapped up on a season-long loan deal for £4million.
Wilson, 22, was in red-hot form for Derby last season, scoring 18 goals and supplying six assists in 49 appearances across all competitions as Frank Lampard’s side reached the Championship play-off final after beating Leeds in the semis.
Marcelo Bielsa will no doubt need to bring in some new players this summer if he wants to win promotion to the Premier League next year, and after some dazzling performances in the second-tier for Derby, Sky Sports pundit Mills has suggested that Wilson would be a top addition to the squad.
“Leeds were third in the league, they were not far off automatic promotion,” Mills told Football Insider. “They can go one step further by spending £10million and bringing three quality players in.
“They have to spend money, unless they have someone from the academy who is a creative midfielder who can score 15 goals next season, or a striker who can score 25.
“If there is no money to spend, they could sell Jack Clarke for £12million and use the proceeds to bring in Harry Wilson on loan and a couple of others.
“They could get Wilson for £4million for the season if Liverpool don’t want to sell him, and he is someone proven in the Championship who will get you goals, take brilliant set pieces and create chances.”
Although it is a lot of money to spend £4million on a loan deal for a season, it makes perfect sense because Wilson is someone who will vastly improve Leeds’ promotion chances and that seven-figure fee will look like a mere drop in the ocean compared to the cash on offer in the top-flight.
Not only did Wilson score plenty of goals for Derby last season, his overall performance helped inspire the East Midlands side to a sixth-placed finish in the league and an eventual place at Wembley.
Jack Harrison has returned to Manchester City after his loan stint at Elland Road came to an end and Wilson, who can play on both the left or right wing, would more than likely replace the England Under-21 international in Bielsa’s starting line-up should he make the switch to West Yorkshire.
According to stats by WhoScored, Wilson’s pass completion percentage [74.7%] was better than Harrison’s [72.9%], even though he played more riskier passes by averaging 1.3 key passes per league appearances, compared to Harrion’s 1.0.
Harrison also only scored four goals and supplied just four assists in his 42 total appearances for Leeds, which are clearly a lot worse than what Wilson managed playing for the Rams on loan.
Mills is spot on to claim that Wilson should be on Leeds’ radar this summer and if he is available for on a £4million loan deal, then Victor Orta and Bielsa need to stop waiting around and test the water with an offer as soon as possible.