OPINION
Leeds have got through the summer relatively unscathed.
They sold Jack Clarke to Tottenham but have got him back on loan for the season. Jack Harrison is back for a second season-long loan from Man City.
The only real loss was Pontus Jansson with Leeds repelling Aston Villa (so far) over a move for Kalvin Phillips.
However, the imminent £8m transfer of Tom Heaton to Aston Villa could be about to pose a problem with just four days to go before the start of the new season.
#avfc agree £8m deal for Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Improved offer was accepted last night #twitterclarets via @telegraph https://t.co/XKEkG0ZoUQ
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) July 31, 2019
Fair warning was given by the Sun’s transfer expert Alan Nixon who tweeted about the possible consequences of Heaton going over a week ago.
He said Burnley were monitoring Bailey Peacock-Farrell and could move if they lost one or two of their keepers.
BURNLEY. Keeping an eye on Peacock-Farrell at LEEDS in case lose one or two keepers. Still want around 10m from VILLA for Heaton who could yet sign a deal to stay.
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) July 21, 2019
With that deal seemingly in the bag – at around £2m less than they had wanted – Burnley are now “getting serious” about a move for the Leeds 22-year-old.
Burnley. Now getting serious about Peacock-Farrell at Leeds. More online shortly.
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) July 31, 2019
On the Sun’s Live Transfer blog, Nixon said Burnley would make a £2.6m bid for the young keeper.
There are plenty of Leeds fans who seem happy about Peacock-Farrell leaving, with one saying “he’s nowhere near ready… Can go for me”.
However, another fan put it better when he said, “He has some talent. Good in 1 on 1s. Not too bad distribution. Has awful positioning and has weak wrists that fold on him when trying to save sometimes”.
5 million please. Could go either way this lad. For Burnley fans that are interested. He has some talent. Good in 1 on 1s. Not too bad distribution. Has awful positioning and has weak wrists that fold on him when trying to save sometimes.
— Reece Price (@Reece7Price) July 31, 2019
Peacock-Farrell is a work-in-progress but as a back-up to Kiko Casilla he’s a fairly solid proposition.
The Northern Ireland stopper has only conceded two goals in the last four matches for Northern Ireland – all Euro 2020 qualifiers. He does have weaknesses, namely positioning from set-pieces and long-range shots, but he’s a decent keeper.
However, he only has a year left on his contract and has said he would leave Leeds if he doesn’t win the keeper’s gloves back [Yorkshire Evening Post]. That isn’t going to happen.
Given that, Leeds should cash in now. £2.6m for a player as inexperienced as Peacock-Farrell, who could leave for free next summer and who has already threatened as much, is good business.
Leeds have Will Huffer and Kamil Miazek as back-up options and the latter has impressed enough to be promoted to the bench. At 22 it’s time for him to be tested in the Championship.
The money could then be used to bring in a new centre-back. With Jansson and Aapo Halme leaving, that’s where Leeds are desperately short and they’re already just one injury away from Kalvin Phillips having to deputise there again.
There might not be much time left in the window but this is a deal that could end up being a big win for Leeds if it’s played right.