Leeds United will need to put some focus on recruiting some talented academy players this summer again.
Under Victor Orta, Leeds placed a huge emphasis on signing some of England and Europe’s top young talents, in a strategy that has somewhat paid off in the years that have followed.
Crysencio Summerville was brought in under his watch and is now arguably Leeds’ best player, while several others have made it to the periphery of the first team and could be/have been sold for decent money.
Mateo Joseph looks set to be the next youngster to really burst onto the scene at Elland Road, with his impact from the bench becoming more and more significant by the week.
However, it would be fair to say Leeds’ U21s have got considerably weaker over the last 12 months. There has been very little in terms of players being signed for it, to replace the likes of Lewis Bate, Leo Hjelde and Darko Gyabi, who all moved on either on loan or permanently in January.
Leeds make offer to sign young Sunderland forward
In fairness to 49ers Enterprises, they have had so much to do both on and off the field since completing their full takeover last summer, and so it is understandable that strengthening the U21s has not been a top priority.
Under Andrea Radrizzani, Orta was practically a one-man-band in terms of player recruitment, but that is a mistake 49ers have since acknowledged, and have therefore changed.
A number of key appointments behind-the-scenes have been made, with the likes of Gretar Steinsson and Jordan Miles coming in. This should give them plenty of knowledge to get back to recruiting talented academy players.
And according to the Daily Telegraph, Leeds have already got to work on doing exactly that by making an offer for Sunderland forward Mason Cotcher.
The report states Cotcher has impressed on trial at Leeds having also previously trained at Arsenal, and a fee will now need to be agreed with the Black Cats to pay his registration fee.
Who is Leeds target Mason Cotcher?
As mentioned, Cotcher has been on trial at Thorp Arch over the last few weeks and has already made three appearances for the U18s, scoring twice.
Cotcher is also an England U17s international and spent time with both Arsenal and Manchester United U18s earlier in the season.
Incidentally, his only appearance for the latter before coming on trial at Leeds was against the Whites back in late January.
Cotcher has also played once for Leeds’ U21s already having come off the bench against Norwich City last month, which is another indication that he is highly rated by the club.