How close Leeds United came to signing Harry Wilson and why this summer is different | OneFootball

Harry Wilson is set to be one of the summer’s standout free agents after 10 goals and seven assists in 36 Premier League games. According to Leeds Live, Leeds United came within a whisker of signing him on deadline day last year.

An improved fee was agreed and a deal sheet signed by Wilson and Leeds after Fulham had quoted his camp a figure over the preceding weekend, which United met before raising the bid on the Monday. On deadline day, Fulham signed Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin, then with minutes remaining they pulled the plug.

Wilson later described a frantic 24 hours and said the window’s close brought relief, and a board member called it a bad day at the end of a good window.

Leeds return to market as a Premier League side and are likely still tracking the 29-year-old, who has been receptive to the Elland Road project. A Wales core helps, with Ethan Ampadu speaking glowingly about the club while on international duty.

The landscape has shifted after his season. Rival Premier League clubs, some in Europe, are circling and can offer greater prestige and higher wages. Leeds must be more strategic under new Squad Cost Ratio limits.

In December, Wilson set out a desire for regular game time next season. Leeds could provide it, depending on Daniel Farke’s shape, with him fitting as a right winger or wide 10. Others higher up may promise the same, and whether this was a purple season remains unclear.

Source: Leeds Live