Leeds United midfielder Jamie Shackleton could leave the club on loan this summer, according to The Yorkshire Evening Post.
The Lowdown: Shackleton at Elland Road
Shackleton has been around the first-team squad ever since Marcelo Bielsa handed the academy graduate his debut during the 2018/19 season.
The central midfielder, who can also play as a right-back, has made 79 appearances for the Whites in all competitions – 14 of which came during the 2021/22 campaign.
However, the 22-year-old only played 22 minutes of action under Jesse Marsch and is entering the final two years of his Elland Road contract.
The Latest: Loan exit?
Leeds journalist Joe Donnohue shared a story on The Yorkshire Evening Post on Saturday morning, looking at the club’s summer plans.
Donnohue stated that Marsch is open to the idea of several youngsters leaving to gain regular game time and said that Shackleton could be a prime candidate to depart on a temporary basis.
How many more signings do Leeds need after Aaronson and Kristensen?
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The Verdict: Keep?
Leeds are fairly short of midfield and right-back options already, so sending Shackleton out on loan may not be the best idea. Kalvin Phillips has been heavily linked with a summer exit, and should he depart, Marsch would be extremely short in central midfield despite making Brenden Aaronson his first signing as head coach.
Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas are also out injured heading into the 2022/23 season, so it wouldn’t make sense to send Shackleton, who Bielsa called ‘important’, out on loan, especially with Phillips reportedly top of Manchester City’s priorities to replace Fernandinho.
It looks as if that could be the case, though, following his lack of game time in Marsch’s first 12 games in charge, so it could be one to keep an eye on as the American aims to put his stamp on the side with a summer rebuild.
In other news: Orta now working on bizarre transfer for ‘magnificent’ ace; he has history with Leeds supporters. Â
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