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Report: Clubs urging EFL action as cash-strapped side tipped to make Leeds target available

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Gillingham have been tipped to make Leeds United target Jack Tucker available for a summer transfer, as the cash-strapped League One side struggle with the financial implications caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

That’s according to the Daily Mail, who understand the Gills may have to sell some of their prized assets whenever the summer window opens to help ease their woes.

Gillingham will be able to meet their current wages for players and staff this month, but are in active discussions with the PFA over the potential of their players taking a wage deferral in the future like seen at Elland Road.

But as any payments deferred to a future date would still need to be obliged and the lack of income from gate receipts, the Priestfield Stadium side are believed to be one of several football league clubs urging the EFL to bring forward the summer window so they can sell players and obtain crucial funds.

Tucker would be expected to be one of the names put up for sale by Gillingham, as the promising centre-half has attracted interest from a vast array of clubs this season.

The 20-year-old is put forward as a potential summer target for Leeds, as well as Premier League trio Aston Villa, Southampton and Norwich City, plus Scottish Premiership heavyweights Rangers and Celtic, as each side have monitored him at some stage of the term.

It is not reported as to how much Gillingham would demand for Tucker’s services were they to make the defender available, though the League One side will likely take promise from his performances under manager Steve Evans.

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Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa and West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic watch the action

Who has missed more big chances to score after 37 league games?

Tucker has started 26 of Gillingham’s 37 League One fixtures in 2019/20, while introduced from the bench twice, and has helped the Priestfield Stadium side to keep 11 clean sheets, too.

Evans did not favour Tucker at first this season, with the Whitstable-born centre-half having to wait until the ninth game of the term to make his campaign debut, but the 20-year-old has since established himself to open the third-tier side’s last 24 league games consecutively.

Over the course of the campaign, which has included six appearances at right-back, Tucker has averaged 1.3 interceptions per league game, plus 1.5 successful tackles, 3.3 clearances, 2.9 aerial duels won (60%), 2.5 ground duels won (64%), 44.9 touches and 14.5 accurate passes (47%), per data collected by Sofa Score.

Clearly, Tucker is by no means perfect but at 20-years-old, there is plenty of room for him to develop and where better than under Marcelo Bielsa?

In other Leeds United news, the club have been dealt a setback in hopes of signing Victor Orta’s €20m target.

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