Leeds United
Championship
Leeds Utd transfer news: Marcelo Bielsa favourite up for sale as Jesse Marsch makes difficult call
Leeds United could get rid of someone who was fairly popular under Marcelo Bielsa when the January transfer window is open, according to a report.
The Leeds squad is certainly starting to look more in the image of Bielsa’s replacement, Jesse Marsch. There were several signings over the summer at Elland Road, some of whom had worked with the American tactician before.
Many of the new arrivals have been featuring frequently, such as midfield duo Tyler Adams and Marc Roca.
Partially as a result, but also due to all too familiar injury issues, there has been little space for Adam Forshaw in Leeds lineups.
Forshaw has been at the club since January 2018, when he arrived from Middlesbrough. However, injury issues have largely held him back, limiting him to just 82 appearances for the club.
Bielsa, though, remained fond of the midfielder, who signed a contract extension back in January. His deal is due to last until the end of this season, although Leeds can extend it by 12 months if they wish.
However, it has now emerged, via Football Insider, that Leeds could actually part company with Forshaw just 12 months after he signed his new deal.
He has only been able to play nine times since Marsch took charge, including four appearances this season. All three of his Premier League outings this term came as a substitute in August.
Forshaw was able to complete a rare 90 minutes in an EFL Cup match against Barnsley that month. But he has been unavailable since early September.
Now, his days as a Leeds United player might be numbered. According to the report, the club will consider offers for him in the January transfer window, which could be their last chance to cash in on him.
Indeed, it now looks highly unlikely that Leeds would activate their option to keep Forshaw until 2024. It may instead be time to cut their losses.
That said, the report does not provide any information of who might be interested in the 31-year-old yet. Despite accumulating 22 Premier League appearances last season, he might have to drop back into the EFL.
Earlier in his career, Forshaw played in League One with Brentford, and the Championship with Wigan Athletic, Middlesbrough and of course Leeds.
Time may be right for respectful Forshaw exit
There is no doubt that Forshaw would leave with Leeds’ well wishes and gratitude. He was an important player for them at the start of the Bielsa era, enjoying his busiest season in 2018-19.
Leeds came close to promotion that year, but would have to wait another season to go up. Sadly, by then, Forshaw was only able to play eight times in all competitions. He would miss the entirety of their first campaign back in the Premier League.
At his age, there might yet be some time to see out his career elsewhere. But his time with Leeds could understandably be approaching its end.
If he does depart, it will be interesting to see if they feel the need to replace him with someone they could call upon more often, since a lack of squad depth may have been a factor behind their close call with the relegation zone last season.
As things stand, they could be in danger again. Therefore, they will have to adjust their squad as appropriate if the chance arises.