What an appointment Garry Monk is turning out to be at Elland Road. The Whites had to deal with mediocrity for a long long time as they had made failed bids for promotion in recent years. Massimo Cellino, the controversial owner of the club, made too many managerial changes since he took over Leeds and Monk could have easily been one of those failed managers under the impatient owner.
However, Cellino showed his faith in the young English manager despite a poor start to his time at Leeds and Monk has ensured that Cellino does not regret his patience shown.
Garry Monk’s summer signings have worked pretty well for the Whites this season as Leeds are flying high in the Championship. Monk made a number of loan signings in the summer who have done pretty well at Elland Road. One of those loanees are Hadi Sacko and the young Frenchman have expressed his interest of staying at the Yorkshire-based club as per French publication Sud Ouest.
Sacko joined Leeds on a season-long loan deal from Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon in the summer with a view to a permanent move. However, the release clause of the one-time France Under-20 international is frightening and totally out of Leeds’ reach to be fair. The release clause in his Sporting contract was a reported €60m (£56.5m) which way too much.
As per French publication Sud Ouest, Sacko claims if Leeds United choose to buy him on a permanent basis then they will not have to splash the cash as he will cost much less than his release clause of €60m. The winger says that Leeds and Sporting Lisbon have agreed on a purchase clause that the Whites can activate if they wish to keep him.
He said, “the two clubs have agreed on a purchase option that is acceptable, much lower than the release clause on my arrival at Sporting. If Leeds decide to buy me, it will not cost so much.”
Sacko has been almost an ever-present member of the Leeds starting XI this season. His output has not been the best always but Monk seems to regard the 22-year-old very highly. In a half-season, he has overtaken the 51 successful dribbles achieved by Leeds’ Lewis Cook last season by completing his 52nd dribble against Aston Villa this week. His end product is not the best but the French youngster is improving week in week out and he can be a long-term success at Elland Road under Monk.
If Leeds can acquire the fleet-footed winger’s signature on the cheap, they have to make this deal happen. Monk likes the player and the fans also do that. Sacko also feels home at Elland Road and could play a pivotal part in the club’s rise in coming years.
