Former England right-back turned pundit Danny Mills has told Football Insider he expects Leeds product Bailey Peacock-Farrell to leave the club on loan this summer.
The 6 ft 4 goalkeeper was shunned by Marcelo Bielsa during the boss’ inaugural season at the Elland Road helm, and would have dropped the Northern Ireland international sooner than Kiko Casilla’s January arrival had there been an alternative to hand.
With the club now expected to retain reported Sevilla target Casilla following speculation the former Real Madrid goalkeeper would leave West Yorkshire, chances of Peacock-Farrell earning a return to the starting line-up appear slim, which Mills feels gives the 22-year-old reason to leave on loan.
“It’s tough as a young keeper,” Mills said. “He’s had a taste of first-team football, he’s been in and had a taste of international football as well. Goalkeeper’s a position that generally you need that sort of experience.
“I think if he had the opportunity to go out on loan, then I would try and take that route. Kiko Casilla is not going to be around forever at Leeds United, I’m pretty sure he’s not going to swap Madrid permanently for Yorkshire.
“It might be one more season, it might be two. If Peacock-Farrell learns during that time and he becomes a solid, better keeper, he might be able to step into those shoes.”
The club would need to reach an agreement with the Darlington-born ace first if Peacock-Farrell were to leave on loan, as he is now inside the final year of his Elland Road contract, and would otherwise be free to leave next summer if a new deal is not signed.
A loan exit would also appear unlikely going by the goalkeeper’s previous comments, after the 9-cap international stated he returned to pre-season training ahead of schedule as he wants to replace Casilla between the Elland Road sticks sooner rather than later.
“Both of us want to play obviously, and if I want to do that, then I need to be here and not on holiday or having another week off,” he said.