Leeds United could have signed Ryan Kent this summer if they had wanted to, according to Noel Whelan.
The 22-year-old winger was linked with a move to Elland Road, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, but ended up completing a last minute switch to Rangers instead, where he spent last season on loan.
United opted to move for Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal.
But BBC pundit Whelan believes that Marcelo Bielsa could have landed both players.
Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “It would have been unbelievable for Leeds to have got Ryan Kent and Nketiah.
“If Leeds had wanted him, they could have got him as they have money in the bank after their summer transfer activity.
“Could we have got both? It would have been brilliant. I’ve watched a lot of Ryan Kent and he is a top talent. He’s young and is only going to get better, so Rangers have got a real player, there.
“Was it unbelievable for Bielsa to change his mind after such a huge bid? You could say that. Only time will tell and the proof is in where Leeds finish in the league.”
Will Leeds rue missing out on Kent?
As Whelan says, only time will tell on this one.
If United go up automatically then they are laughing, and they will soon forget about their pursuit of Kent.
£7 million, the fee Rangers ended up paying, is big, and to be fair to Marcelo Bielsa – who is known for his conservatism in the transfer market – you can see why it might have been just too high for him to bite the bullet on.
The Argentine was probably a little reluctant to make the move based on the fact that Leeds have an abundance of wingers too.
Pablo Hernandez and Jack Harrison have been United’s go-to men out wide so far this season, but they also have new signing Helder Costa and last season’s breakout star Jack Clarke to call upon if needed as well.
In fact, they are so spoilt for choice on the flanks that Costa has yet to start a Championship match, despite registering 4.9 successful dribbles and three key passes per 90 minutes during his cameo appearances, as per Whoscored.
Bringing in Kent would have only diluted things further.
As such, recruiting a traditional, out and out centre forward was the right thing to do.
Nketiah may be young, but he has impressed so far, and will provide vital cover and competition for Patrick Bamford.
The 20-year-old has yet to start a league match either, but he has already registered a massive 6.2 shots per 90, as well as 1.6 key passes, as per Whoscored.
Sometimes you have to recruit for a system rather than for glamour, and that’s what Leeds have done this summer.