Leeds United have been linked with a double swoop on the Premier League, with West Ham United’s Jordan Hugill and Burnley’s Ben Gibson tipped to be on Director of Football Victor Orta’s late transfer window shortlist.
Allegedly, the Irons’ out-of-favour hitman Hugill is being chased by the Whites, West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic, with the Hammers also open to handing the £5.4million-rated striker a pay-off in order to take his £40,000-a-week contract off their books.
A figure like that in West Yorkshire would instantly promote Hugill into our top-earners bracket alongside Kiko Casilla and Patrick Bamford, and take some of the potentially available funds away from Kemar Roofe and Kalvin Phillips as they yearn for new deals at Elland Road.
The Whites duo would also see their hopes of new, long-term contracts in West Yorkshire decline if the club were to pull off a swoop to land Gibson, as Burnley are expected to demand close to the £15million they spent to acquire the centre-back from Middlesbrough last summer.
There would be a lot of competition for the £9million-rated uncapped England international, who made the Three Lions bench three times before his move to Turf Moor, with Boro interested in a reunion if the price is right, while Newcastle United and Premier League new boys Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Norwich City are all sniffing around.
United fans reacting to the Whites’ alleged interest in Hugill and Gibson has not seen the pair be coveted by the Elland Road faithful, as players who can make the difference in our latest bid for promotion.
Here’s how these fans reacted…
Of course they are. Easy terms over 25 years?
— Marc Collins (@marccollins62) July 24, 2019
I can get behind the Ben Gibson signing but hugill isn’t our style of player that we need
— Joe (@Rhino12344) July 24, 2019
Hugill ???????????????? no plz no
— stringaz85 ???????????????? (@stringaz851) July 24, 2019
Not happening
— Tony Goodwin (@TonyGoo51910248) July 24, 2019
A West Ham fan at work says they’ll give Hugill to us…..worrying ????
— Michael Asplen ???????? (@masplenlufc) July 24, 2019
Next you will be say where have to messi
— darren kellett (@yorkshiredarren) July 24, 2019
Where we getting them from DFS interest free buy now pay in 4 yrs ????♂️
— Andy Firth (@AndrewFirth21) July 24, 2019
Neither will happen tbh
— alaw (@weareleeds191) July 24, 2019
We’ve a better chance of signing Debbie Gibson…..
— Terry O’ Brien (@tobtipp) July 24, 2019