Oliver Sarkic who has been serving a loan spell with Leeds United since the summer of 2017 has just made his move permanent with the Peacocks. The transfer fee paid to Benfica for the 20-year-old has not been disclosed by United yet but the length of his contract has – two and a half years.
Sarkic is yet to make his debut for the senior side of United but is a first-team regular in the U23 squad. He started his professional career with Portuguese side, Benfica and went to make 44 appearances for the side.
He served a short loan spell with Associação Desportiva de Fafe or AD Fafe last season and was called up for a trial with Premier League side Swansea City. Clearly, his path was destined towards Elland Road and has been a bright spark for the youth team.
A youngster with great promise is necessary for a promotion chasing side who will have to think about a future in top-flight English football. Leeds are currently in the sixth spot of the EFL Championship and are gunning for the automatic promotion spot. A 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest have drawn Sheffield United and Middlesbrough closer to them and are eager to snatch the playoff spot away from them.
Thomas Christiansen’s men have faced a season of multiple highs and lows, especially after the fans saw their in-form attacker, Samuel Saiz get suspended for six games on misbehavioral charges. The Whites bowed out of the FA Cup after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Newport County last Sunday.
Their chances in the EFL League Cup also ended after Leicester City thrashed them with three goals to one in November. Clearly, a return to the Premier League is all they have to aim for now that the second half of the season is already upon us.
The club’s strike force has seen it’s fair share of rotation over the Christmas period with Caleb Ekuban still sidelined with an injury. Pierre-Michel Lasogga returned after a long stint on the sidelines but has been struggling in front of goal. His last goal came against Derby County in the side’s 1-2 loss back in November. Pawel Cibicki is pretty much the second choice for Christiansen and has still not found the back of the net.
This is concerning for Leeds fans especially at such an important juncture of the campaign. Maybe it is time for Christiansen to test things around and give Sarkic a few minutes up top.
