Leeds eyed Spurs’ Oliver Skipp on loan
Leeds United were interested in the possibility of Oliver Skipp being on loan until the end of the season during the January transfer window.
What’s new?
The West Yorkshire club had an encouraging winter window, with three players coming through doors at Elland Road while Jesse Marsch tried to stave off looming relegation.
And one of those players to come through the door was Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, who is likely to start alongside compatriot Tyler Adams.
However, it appears the Whites have been exploring a number of options with Tottenham Hotspur youngster Skipp, who is believed to have been a player on their radar.
In fact, reliable Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold claimed in his latest YouTube video that the 22-year-old is open to a loan move, with the Whites being one of the interested sides:
“I think Oliver Skipp was pretty open to a loan move just to really get that much sharpness back.
“I think he was quite ready, as far as I know, to go on loan – [Crystal] Palace, Fulham, Leeds, Bournemouth all wanted to take him if they could but [Antonio] Conte said no.”
add depth
Skipp is a midfielder who has garnered plenty of praise from some of Spurs’ recent managers, with Jose Mourinho calling the youngster ‘phenomenal’ back in 2020.
The Spurs Academy product enjoyed a successful loan stint at Norwich City in the 2020/21 season, where he earned 44 starts in the Championship.
Lately, however, it has been difficult for the midfielder to get playing time with Antonio Conte having a plethora of options in the middle of the park.
Would Skipp have been a good borrower?
Yes
no
Having also struggled with a foot injury early in the season, Skipp has seen the January window now come to an end with just three Premier League starts this season.
But we wonder if Skipp would have a much better starting chance with Adams and now McKennie at Leeds than his prospects at Spurs?
Granted, it could offer Marsch a much better squad depth, but the player – and Spurs – would likely snub away any offers Skipp wouldn’t start at on a regular basis.
With players like Adam Forshaw still at the club and struggling with injuries, Skipp Marsch could certainly add some much-needed cover down the middle of the pitch.
But questions would certainly be raised as to how he would find himself regularly in the starting XI with Adams and McKennie avoiding injuries.
