Leeds United failed to do a deal for Fulham attacker Harry Wilson on deadline day. It is believed that Fulham pulled the plug and now, Robbie Evans has discussed the failure to sign Wilson.
Leeds targeted a move for Wales star Wilson on the final day of the window, having made exploratory contact in the days leading up to deadline day. But they had to remain patient with Fulham very busy.
Fulham would only sell Wilson if they managed to get signings in. They did deals for Kevin and Samuel Chukwueze, but some reports say their inability to sign Tyrique George meant they chose to keep Wilson.
A deal sheet was submitted for Wilson, but it all came to a disappointing end for Leeds, with the former Liverpool and Derby attacker remaining at Fulham. Wilson remains in the final year of his Fulham contract.
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Was Harry Wilson interested in Leeds move? Robbie Evans tells all
Managing director Robbie Evans has given an interview to the Yorkshire Evening Post, and in part one of the two-part chat, Evans was immediately asked about the failure to lure Wilson to Leeds on Monday.
Evans told the YEP that Wilson was “on board” with a move to Leeds. Perhaps, Wilson was keen on Leeds because three players were being signed at Fulham that will surely push him down the pecking order.
“It’s pretty straightforward in that we had a player targeted, it didn’t come through. We thought we had the right price. We put the offer in above that price, the player was on board. Club couldn’t get it done.
“Their club couldn’t get it done. We sent the deal sheet in after being given some indication it could work. But they were also doing three deals at once. So Fulham signed €85m worth of wingers yesterday.
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“Whether it was out of time or they decided not to sell, we don’t know. But it didn’t happen. Thankfully for us, that’s why we did the overwhelming majority of our business before the last day of the window.”
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It is not the first time that Leeds have wanted Harry Wilson
Back in the summer of 2020, with Leeds promoted back to the Premier League and in a similar position to the one they are in under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds were linked with a move to sign Wilson from Liverpool.
Nothing materialised. Wilson, of course, was a player that had just starred for Derby in a play-off semi-final at Elland Road and there was a feeling that Leeds shouldn’t be signing a player that caused pain.
Now, Leeds will have wished they got a deal over the line. Leeds have signed plenty of big players, but no set-piece specialist. Jeff Stelling is worried for Leeds after their work, and Micah Richards is concerned.