No Leeds return for Rovers loan man Bielsa ‘regretted’ letting go

Barry.Douglas.2021.TEAMtalk1

Defender Barry Douglas will reportedly leave Leeds United for nothing in the summer as the club has no plans to offer him a new deal.

Douglas, 31, joined Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan in October last year. At the time, Whites chief Marcelo Bielsa admitted it had been tough call. “They’re decisions I have to make,” he said. “For me, they have been very difficult. Douglas deserved to try and fight at Leeds. He gave his all to achieve this.”

Douglas has enjoyed 25 outings for Rovers this term, with the north-west outfit sitting 15th in the Championship standings. They have no chance of making the play-offs and are relatively safe from the relegation zone.

It is not known if Ewood Park boss Tony Mowbray wants to keep Douglas beyond the terms of his deal. Football Insider are reporting that Bielsa will not be offering the man with one Scotland cap a fresh deal at Elland Road.

He has made 44 appearances in all competitions for the Yorkshire outfit but it seems as though he will not add to that tally. Douglas spent one season at Wolves but was sold to Leeds after the West Midlanders gained promotion to the top flight.

It appears as though those who have managed him agree that the Glaswegian has found his level in England’s second tier. Injuries did hamper his time at Leeds but it may be that his twilight years as a professional are in the lower leagues.

Douglas to follow Alioski out of Elland Road

Bielsa will be in the market for a left-sided defender in the summer as Ezgjan Alioski is also set to leave. It was revealed by Football Insider earlier this week that the 29-year-old is off to Turkey.

The Macedonia international will be out of contract in the summer. And it has been reported that he has agreed a pre-contract with Galatasaray.

Marcelo Bielsa: Leeds United dominated but not clinical enough

Marcelo Bielsa: Leeds United dominated but not clinical enough

Marcelo Bielsa was disappointed with his sides finishing as they mustered up enough chances to get a result in their 2-0 loss to West Ham.

Leeds want the former Lugano man to stay but he seems to have his heart set on a move to Istanbul. It would bring down the curtain on a four-year stint at Elland Road.

He helped the club achieve promotion to the Premier League, with 39 Championship appearances last term. He has made 152 league appearances in total for the Whites but will leave as a free agent in the off-season.

Crystal Palace star Patrick van Aanholt is thought to be an option to replace the duo. Former Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish feels it is a transfer that should happen.

“The main thing is if he’s still playing to a level of Premier League players,” he said. “If he’s still got his speed and that then that’s a no-brainer. He can bring an assuredness in defence as well.”

READ MORE: Leeds tie down starlet to first pro deal