Jadan raymond has been linked with a move to Leeds United (Getty Images)
According to The Athletic, Leeds United are in talks to sign Crystal Palace starlet Jadan Raymond in the summer.
Raymond, 16, is a product of Crystal Palace’s youth ranks but has rejected to sign a professional contract at Selhurst Park and has informed the club of his intentions to leave. He is yet to make a senior appearance but is highly rated within the club’s youth ranks.
He has been a regular in England’s U16 and U17 squads. However, with Raymond’s current contract coming to an end this month, Leeds should make a swift move for the teenager. Portuguese outfit Vitoria Guimaraes have also made an approach for the young midfielder, as per the report.
The Whites, meanwhile, have been brilliant throughout the campaign. Marcelo Bielsa’s men have done well in both the attacking and the defensive situations and have succeeded as a team. However, they have been inconsistent on several occasions.
Overall though, Leeds have performed well are on the cusp of getting promoted to the top-flight after being absent for 16 years.
However, it is now time for the manager to look for the future and bring in reinforcements with the future in mind. This could help them in the future when the youngsters are ready to play on a bigger stage.
As for now, the promotion chasers have a plethora of midfield talents in their ranks in Pablo Hernandez, Adam Forshaw, Mateusz Klich, Jamie Shackleton and Mateusz Bogusz. Hernandez, Forshaw and Klich have been regular starters and have performed well.
However, the Spaniard is already 35 and reaching the rear end of his career. And the manager needs to bring in youngsters to replace Hernandez in the future. And especially with the ongoing financial crisis due to the pandemic, it would be wise if Leeds invested in the youth.
In that regard, Raymond could be one of the many options for the club. He could be a future star midfield if he manages to deliver and come through Leeds’ youth squads.
At 16, he has a lot of room for development and Leeds could do with the youngsters in the future. And investing in youth prospects could also help them reap rewards in the future. Thus, they should manage to strike a deal with Raymond this summer.
