According to the latest reports from Sky Sports, Leeds United are eyeing a deal for Bristol City’s winger Callum O’Dowda. The Irish international is being eyed as a backup option by the Whites if they fail to land Swansea City’s Dan James this month.
Marcelo Bielsa had earlier claimed that his side needs a winger ever since the departure of Samuel Saiz. Pablo Hernandez has been shifted to play in central areas, and the wide positions are currently occupied by the likes of Jack Clarke, Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison. Out of the lot, Harrison has disappointed more often than not and the youngster is only on a loan spell until the end of the season. Therefore the Whites do need a winger in the long run as well.
O’Dowda is currently in the final six months of his contract but Bristol City have a clause by which they can extend the winger’s stay until 2020 and the 23-year-old could cost somewhere between £8-10m (Bristol Post).
For such price, O’Dowda looks like a bad deal even though he would add depth and competition for places in the squad. The left winger has so far played 24 games in all competitions and has managed two goals and four assists. Those numbers aren’t really calling for potential suitors to offer £10m for the winger.
O’Dowda shows decent pace but his final product is often lacking and for £10m the Whites can probably get more proven quantity. The West Yorkshire outfit also needs to look at the fact whether the player would thrive in the Premier League as Leeds United are very much in line to play their football in the English top flight next season. Therefore they really need to go after players with much more proven quantity especially if they are looking to shell out that much cash.
On a cheaper deal, O’Dowda makes a case for himself as he is still young and looks promising but on the pieces of evidence so far, it is likely that he would struggle to cope up with the challenges of the Premier League. In any case, United are only looking to do a deal with him if they fail to land Dan James from Swansea City.
Bielsa has often maintained that he wouldn’t make signings just for the sake of it and incoming players must improve the quality of the squad. O’Dowda is somewhere in between as he isn’t too bad a player but nothing really stands out which indicates that he would be a big-time success at Elland Road.
