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Leeds transfer news: Phil Hay predicts Jesse Marsch has already said goodbye to midfielder Marcelo Bielsa rated highly

Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch

Leeds United expert Phil Hay has confirmed reports that Mateusz Klich is attracting interest from the MLS and has shed light on a potential clue from Jesse Marsch.

Klich has been a Leeds player since 2017, when they signed him from FC Twente. His time at Elland Road really took off in 2018 after a loan spell away at FC Utretcht. Marcelo Bielsa went on to rely heavily on the Poland international.

Indeed, Klich was ever-present in the Championship during Bielsa’s debut season in the dugout. Then, he played in all but one of their league matches when they won promotion the following term.

While Klich hasn’t faded from the picture entirely since – he made more than 30 Premier League appearances in each of the past two seasons – he is no longer as prominent as he once was.

There were already suggestions that he could leave in the summer after falling out of favour under Bielsa’s successor, Marsch. He stuck around, but all 11 of his Premier League appearances this season have come from the bench.

As a result, he missed out on a place in Poland’s squad for the World Cup. In turn, Klich is once again considering his future.

Recently, it emerged that he could end up in the MLS. Indeed, DC United are keen to add him to Wayne Rooney’s squad.

Now, trustworthy Leeds source Hay has verified the links, confirming Klich is willing to consider the option.

Hay told The Athletic: “Reports from the United States over the weekend that Wayne Rooney-managed DC United are interested in signing him next month ahead of the 2023 MLS season are accurate and Klich is understood to be open to a move to the American capital.

“It is a switch to a new country and a new league with the offer of a good contract.

“Leeds have been his best years but he does not seem so sentimental that he would stick around for the purposes of lighting up the Festa d’Elx Trophy like he did in Elche last week during the club’s World Cup break training trip to Spain.”

Phil Hay shares Mateusz Klich clue from Jesse Marsch

Klich is still under contract in West Yorkshire until 2024. However, since he is 32 years old, he is not their most valuable asset.

That said, they might have to listen to offers for him anyway given his stance. And Hay believes Marsch may already have said his goodbyes.

The journalist added: “Leeds are not so flush with form or numbers that they can shed fringe players casually and they would not raise much money from parting with Klich in January.

“But having already sold him more action than he is getting, they will struggle to sway him with the same vision again.

“Marsch hugging him at the end of the Elche friendly looked a little like goodbye.”

Leeds won that game against the Spanish opposition 2-1 on December 8.

Klich has played 25 times for Marsch, in contrast to the 157 appearances he made when Bielsa was in charge.

A move to the MLS would represent his first experience of playing outside Europe. He has previously represented clubs in Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and England.

If Leeds let him go, they will need to make up for the loss of depth in midfield. Behind common starters Tyler Adams and Marc Roca, they would only otherwise have Adam Forshaw – whose future is also unclear – and younger options like Darko Gyabi.

But it might be time for them to thank Klich for his service and allow him to enjoy the twilight years of his career elsewhere. Perhaps his destiny could be DC United.

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