Journalist Beren Cross has claimed that Lewis Bate may well be set for a loan, having been excluded from Leeds United’s recent tour of Australia.
The 19-year-old was left at home recently while his teammates went off to step up their pre-season preparations on the other side of the world, which came as ‘quite a surprise’ for some.
In his place, 16-year-old Archie Gray travelled and it seems as though the young midfielder could be ahead of Bate in the Leeds United pecking order after some recent quotes from manager Jesse Marsch where he stated that he sees Gray as a ‘first-team player‘.
Taking it all into account in an article for LeedsLive, Cross stated that the Whites could now consider loaning Bate should an offer come in from the right club.
He said: “Lewis Bate’s exclusion from the Australia tour underlined his place in the pecking order and a loan for the 19-year-old is possible. Leeds see a long-term future for him at Elland Road and would only consider such an exit if it was at the right club in the right league.”
Should Lewis Bate go on loan this season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Lewis Bate and Leeds…
When news emerged that Bate could be joining the Whites from Chelsea, a number of Leeds fans seemed extremely excited about the transfer.
However, since his move, Bate’s chances in the first team have been pretty limited. Indeed, the teenager managed just 146 minutes of Premier League football last term.
And now, after missing out on the Australia trip with Gray seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, it does seem as though his senior opportunities could be few and far between next term, too.
Taking that all into account, a loan move could be the best option for Bate. And so he may have to hope that a suitable opportunity can come in for him soon.