Harry Wilson is on loan with Bournemouth from Liverpool (Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Leeds United are preparing a £15million bid for Liverpool winger Harry Wilson, who excelled on loan at relegated Bournemouth last season. As per the report, Liverpool are well aware that they aren’t going to pocket anywhere close to the £30million fee they were demanding for the 23-year-old last summer.
However, with Wilson still under contract at Anfield until 2023, Jurgen Klopp’s side are yet to decide whether to send the Welshman out on another loan or cash in on him permanently, given the tight competition for places in the first-team. (h/t The Sun)
Leeds, though, are confident that Wilson can do a job for them in the top-flight after finishing the 2019-20 campaign as the second top scorer for the Cherries with 7 league goals. Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also in the race to sign the winger ahead of the upcoming campaign. (h/t Sun)
Born in Wrexham, Wales, Wilson graduated from the academy at Anfield but has only made one first-team appearance for Liverpool so far. The left-footed winger shot to prominence during his loan spell at Hull City during the second half of the 2017-18 Championship campaign, scoring 7 goals in 13 league appearances for the Tigers.
The 23-year-old followed it up with a prolific 2018-19 season on loan at Derby County in the second-tier. The Reds academy sensation bagged 16 goals and 4 assists as the Rams made it all the way through to the Championship playoff final under Frank Lampard.
Wilson’s heroics in the Championship paved the way for a loan move to a Premier League club and he certainly made the most of his opportunities at Bournemouth, finishing the campaign with 7 goals in 31 appearances although the Cherries ended up getting relegated.
Leeds United finished the 2019-20 Championship campaign with 77 goals, the joint second-best scoring record in the division alongside runners-up West Brom, but things are going to be a lot tougher in the Premier League.
The Whites have already signed Helder Costa on a permanent basis while Jack Harrison, who was a key creative outlet from the flanks last season, is expected to return to Elland Road on a third consecutive loan deal from Man City.
However, it’s imperative to say that Costa had previously struggled to make an impact in the top-flight at Wolves while Harrison remains completely unproven at the Premier League level. Veteran Pablo Hernandez has a fair bit of PL experience under his belt but he’s pretty much nearing the twilight of his career at 35.
To that end, Leeds need to add a proven Premier League winger to their squad and Harry Wilson certainly fits the bill in that regard. The 23-year-old delivered in his debut season in the top-flight last term and Bielsa will be hoping for him to do the same if a move to West Yorkshire does materialise.
Another appealing factor for Leeds should be Wilson’s proficiency in finding the net from direct free-kicks. The 23-year-old’s curling 30-yard strike against Man United in the 2018-19 EFL Cup and his thumping finish in Bournemouth’s 3-1 loss against Man City in the PL last season are enough to prove that he’s capable of the spectacular against top-quality opposition.
Harry Wilson has already demonstrated his ability to deliver the goods in the Premier League and at 23, he still has plenty of room for improvement. Having said that, the Welsh international not only fits the bill as an immediate game-changer at Elland Road but also ticks the box as a good long-term investment.