Leeds United had earlier sent scouts (Daily Record) to catch Motherwell’s winger Jake Hastie in action. The 19-year-old has also attracted interest from West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland. If latest reports from Birmingham Live are to be believed, then we have a new entrant in the race for Hastie’s signature as Hull City have been keeping a close eye on this inform Scotsman.
Hastie had spent the first half of the season with Alloa Athletic in the Scottish second tier. However, his manager Stephen Robinson decided to call him back last month. Since then the 19-year-old has been in tremendous form as he has managed four goals and one assist. The winger is in the last few months of his contract, and there is no doubt that he could be tempted to move to England.
His manager Robinson has claimed that they will offer him a new deal. He was quoted as saying, ”We haven’t got any more money to offer Jake. It is as simple as that and we will offer him what we can. A few hundred pounds now will not make a big difference to his life.”
Earlier Robinson had warned his young talent about moving to England as he believed that he could lose his way while playing for the reserve and u-23 squad. He had said (The Scottish Sun), ”He’s playing regular first-team football, and I’d sit in front of any parent and tell them if their boy goes to England they will be playing Under-23 football, and will maybe lose their way. I’m a big advocate of playing early and playing young, and I’m confident Jake will re-sign.”
The White need to add depth in the wide regions and Hastie could be a decent addition in the long run. However, given the fact that Leeds United can move to the Premier League by next season; they would be better off signing a more established and proven name. What Robinson has said can come true as the English club might not be able to offer him regular game time especially if the Whites move to the Premier League.
However, we have also seen how Bielsa is not afraid to blood in youngsters into the senior team and if Hastie has that talent and ability, then he can make a breakthrough in the senior squad.
With other Championship clubs also in the mix, it could very much come down to who can offer Hastie a better progress path to the top level. Playing regularly at this age is the best way to learn. Therefore, we feel United might have to miss out on this signing given their ambition to move to the Premier League.
