Leeds receive answer after making loan bid for Liverpool starlet

Leeds United have suffered a setback in their attempts to sign promising Liverpool winger Curtis Jones, according to reports.

Jones is one of the most promising academy prospects at Liverpool, and announced himself to the world at the weekend by scoring a wonder goal to defeat rivals Everton in the FA Cup.

After the game, the 18-year-old admitted to being frustrated at a lack of first team opportunities at his boyhood club, despite having the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino ahead of him in the pecking order.

“It’s been frustrating to be on the bench then getting a bit of a taste for it, then on the bench again,” he said.

“There are times in my head where I’m begging to come on. So I just tried to go out there and show what I’m capable of doing.

“Hopefully I’ve topped it off with a good performance and, what everyone is saying, a great goal.”

A loan move away has been touted for Jones to help him gain experience, and Football Insider claim that Leeds made an enquiry as they look to add the depth they need to continue their surge towards promotion from the Championship.

Having seen Eddie Nketiah and Jack Clarke recalled by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, Marcelo Bielsa’s side are in the market for attacking reinforcements, and had identified Jones as a potential solution.

However, it is revealed that their approach for Jones was unsuccessful, as Liverpool have now been convinced of the winger’s potential and will look to keep him around the Anfield setup instead.

 

With the Reds chasing down the Premier League title and still being in the hunt to retain their Champions League crown – as well as having the FA Cup to contend with – Jurgen Klopp wants to keep Jones and give him more chances when he needs to rotate his squad.

It marks a second snub from Liverpool for Leeds in a matter of days, following their decision to send Rhian Brewster – who had been suggested as a replacement for Nketiah – on loan to Swansea instead.

In addition, Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle is said to be “unlikely” to leave for Leeds on loan this winter, due to the Magpies wanting any new club to pay his £50,000-per-week wages in full. Read more here.