Celtic-linked Leeds United defender Barry Douglas could leave the Premier League club on loan at some stage today, Leeds Live has reported.
The source has said that Douglas’ future may have to lie elsewhere after Leif Davis made an appearance against Manchester City over him in Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Leeds Live believes that a loan deal may suit all parties at the moment, despite the fact his contract expires in the summer of 2021.
Blackburn Rovers are said to have ruled themself out of any chase for Douglas, with Watford regarded as the frontrunners for Douglas’ signature (Leeds Live). That would mean a move to the Championship after already spending time there last season.
Celtic had been reported to have held talks with Douglas earlier on in the window (Daily Mail). With the transfer deadline approaching, however, there has still been no progress from them.
A loan shouldn’t be our first-choice
Douglas has all of the traits to make it in Scotland. He’s composed on the ball, is solid enough at the back, and has a terrific cross on him that comes with a willingness to bomb forward.
In terms of being a left wing-back, his efficiency at both ends of the pitch make him a potentially attractive proposition. However, in saying that, a loan should hardly be Celtic’s first choice today.
We’re not just looking for competition for Greg Taylor for the next 12 months, we need to look to the longer-term and really try to nail down the position. Bringing in Douglas on loan just wouldn’t cut it.
You could say that because we would be loaning him for a year, then it would be easy to snap him up for nothing next summer. But there’s no guarantees Douglas wants to stay if there are Premier League or Championship offers on the table for him next year. It’s also not out of the question that Leeds provide him with a new contract too.
We don’t want to be in this position once again 10 months or so down the line. If Leeds are only looking to allow Douglas to leave temporarily, we would be as well avoiding.
In other news, Celtic reportedly aren’t interested in securing a Premier League winner who once spoke about his Parkhead “dream”.
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