Daniel Farke has surely dropped a subtle hint that Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood could be set to seal a permanent move to Middlesbrough in January.
The Athletic journalist Phil Hay reported on Friday (17 November) that Middlesbrough are “highly likely” to trigger a £1.5million option-to-buy clause in their loan deal for the Thorp Arch academy graduate.
It’s believed that Farke was happy to send the 21-year-old midfielder out on loan this season for which Greenwood has excelled so far and Hay admits that there’s a high likelihood that Boro make his stay permanent at the end of the season.
And Farke in his press conference on Friday (1 December) dropped a hint that Greenwood may no longer have a future at Elland Road, saying that one of the reasons Greenwood was sent out on loan was to “increase his value” for a future sale
He said: “We’re happy that he’s progressed in the right way. When you loan a player out, you have two targets – either he comes back to improve your squad, or to increase his value. It was definitely the right decision.”
The German coach also admitted that it may well be difficult for the talented youngster to find some game-time at Elland Road in future, due to the several attacking options he has at his disposal (as per Phil Hay, 1 December).
Last August, Greenwood signed a new contract until 2026 but that was under Jesse Marsch, who saw a midfield role for Greenwood.
But since then, he’s had limited chances in West Yorkshire which ultimately led to his decision to go out on loan and the £1.5m reported clause in his contract which Middlesbrough can trigger should they wish to, means the Whites are certainly open to his exit.
However, Farke hinted that Leeds United are looking to increase his market value but a £1.5m fee certainly does not suggest that.
Greenwood is a highly-rated commodity at Elland Road and arguably one of their most gifted academy products and while a loan move was always on the horizon for him given his lack of opportunities, it should have been expected that he’d best set for a first-team role upon his return.
What message are Leeds sending to fans who are excited about the player’s future, that they are willing to sell a talent hasn’t been granted the opportunity to flourish and set his own path at Elland Road, for just a meagre £1.5m
Middlesbrough have done incredibly well to negotiate such a small fee for a player who could well cost around £30m-plus in the future should he develop even further.
It certainly makes fans wonder why would Leeds United want to throw away such a marketable and gifted talent so easily. A huge blow for everyone involved with the Whites, but it is certainly Middlesbrough’s gain.
