A few weeks back, reports from the Mirror emerged that Leeds United had pulled out of the race for Bristol City’s winger Callum O’Dowda. It was surprising, to say the least as the Whites are in desperate need of wingers and the Irish international could have been a decent option for the club.
Update from Lee Johnson
Moreover, signing him wouldn’t have taken a lot of persuasion it seems. O’Dowda has rejected numerous contract offers from Bristol City, and recently his manager Lee Johnson explained the Irish winger’s situation at the club.
He said (Bristol Post), ”I don’t know is the honest answer (Whether O’Dowda will sign a new deal). I’ve said before that the door is always open – there is no issue with Callum on a personal and a professional level.”
”He’s a player that I want to do well. We have to do the right thing. And if the player’s not going to sign a new contract, then we’ve got to move him on. I’m not saying that Callum doesn’t want to be here, but I know that his head would have been turned by the speculation.”
Bristol City are clearly open to selling him if the winger doesn’t commit to a new deal. This stance is no surprise as O’Dowda is soon going to enter into the final year of his contract and a club like Bristol City cannot afford to let him run down his contract and go for free.
Leeds United will be a step up for the winger, and we think that he would jump at the opportunity of playing for a club like Leeds United.
The 24-year-old contributed with four goals and five assists in 31 Championship appearances last season. Bielsa desperately needs to add cover in the left wing position, and the 15 times Irish talent would be a decent addition to the Whites’ squad. The manager usually deployed Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison down the left flank, and both of them were often below par in their performances.
Upgrade over Harrison
The club is being linked with signing Jack Harrison again on loan from Manchester City, and we feel that O’Dowda would be an upgrade over him. After the recent revelation from his manager where he mentions that the club might have to ship him away in the summer, Leeds United should move in for him to solve their problems down the left wing.
