Leeds United considering bid for Republic of Ireland winger

Conan Doherty

Despite recent controversy, Leeds United’s promotion push remains as strong as ever

Less than a week after manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted spying on Derby County’s training ground, his Leeds United side sit four points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United and third-placed Norwich City at the top of the Championship table.

Despite their lead and the impressive nature of their first half of the season, Bielsa will be as aware as anyone of the need for reinforcements to keep their push for promotion going strong until the end of the season.

On that front, the club have been actively looking for a new winger. The club’s first choice is said to be Swansea City’s Daniel James, who has been linked with a £20 million to Elland Road.

James has been impressive for the Swans this season and was given his first Wales cap by manager Ryan Giggs in November.

Leeds do have a backup option though in the event that James does not leave the Liberty Stadium, and that backup is Ireland international and Bristol City winger Callum O’Dowda.

At 23, O’Dowda is beginning to perform consistently with the Robins and was impressive in a poor Ireland side when he appeared towards the end of Martin O’Neill’s tenure.

With bare stats, he has just two goals and three assists in the league for Bristol City so far this season but his form has been influential and the club sit two points adrift of the playoffs, in seventh place in the Championship.

Now, it seems that he might have a choice: to keep fighting and leading for Bristol, or join the Leeds juggernaut which looks unlikely to be stopped on its mission for the Premier League.

I understand Leeds are looking into Bristol City winger Callum O’Dowda as an option as they pursue a new winger #lufc

— Tim Thornton (@SkySports_Tim) January 15, 2019

Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton revealed that Marcelo Bielsa is seeking the acquisition of O’Dowda in the January transfer window whilst the reputable Phil Hay from the Yorkshire Evening Post confirmed the link.

Leeds normally operate with Ezgjan Alioski and Pablo Hernandez as their wide players but have sometimes adopted a 3-4-3 formation too, such is the tactical flexibility of the manager.

In their systems and with the intensity of their football, O’Dowda would have plenty of opportunities for game time and he has proven that he can even play more in-field in a central role as he has done to exciting effect with Ireland in the last year.

The news isn’t something that pleases Bristol City fans though.