According to the latest reports from Belgium media outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, Anderlecht’s hope of extending Yannick Bolasie’s stay is unlikely to happen. Leeds United are said to be very keen on the 29-year-old winger. Bolasie’s plan while joining the Belgian heavyweight in January was to return to England in the summer, and those plans haven’t changed yet.
This is a positive piece of news for Leeds United if they want to sign him in the upcoming summer transfer market. The Congolese winger had spent the first half of the season on loan with Aston Villa before deciding to play for the Belgian heavyweights in January.
One can understand why Anderlecht are interested in extending his loan spell beyond this season as the Everton man has managed four goals and one assist in seven appearances. But it seems clear that English clubs would be favourites to sign him if Everton decides to send him on another loan spell or offload him permanently.
Why Leeds United are interested in Bolasie?
The Whites don’t have much depth in the left wing spot, and Bolaise is an outright left winger. Jack Harrison is going to leave the club in the summer as his loan spell will expire. Ezgjan Alioski seems more suited to play as a fullback than a winger, and we expect the Macedonian to continue in that role.
Therefore, Bielsa will only have Jack Clarke at his disposal for next season to start down the left. So it is no surprise that the club is looking to add reinforcements in that department.
Is he worth buying?
On his day, the 29-year-old can terrorise defenders with his dribbling skills and pace, but often the winger fails to deliver in the final third. Bolasie should be playing in the Premier League regularly at this point of his career. However, it is clear that Marco Silva doesn’t consider him good enough to play at Goodison. The winger is far too inconsistent with his performances, and he can be a hit and miss kind of a player.
However, the winger has an impressive work rate and physicality, and maybe someone like Bielsa might be able to extract the best out of him. If Leeds United move to the Premier League, then they can eye Bolasie as a squad player. The winger can be used as an impact substitute when required. United should look to buy a winger who is younger and not on a decline for the first choice option if they make it to the English top flight.
