Leeds United reportedly turned down the chance to sign Premier League midfielders Donny van de Beek and Harry Winks on loan in January.
That is according to the Athletic, who claim that after talks with Marcelo Bielsa, the Whites opted against pursuing a deal for either of them.
Leeds were keen on adding a midfielder to their ranks last month but once negotiations with their number one target Brenden Aaronson hit an impasse, it became clear there was no one else in the pipeline.
Van de Beek eventually sealed a loan switch away from his nightmare at Manchester United by joining Everton, who pipped Crystal Palace to his signature following the appointment of Frank Lampard.
Winks, meanwhile, remained at Tottenham Hotspur, who instead sent out Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele on loan, before then selling Dele Alli.
Here is how Leeds fans have been reacting to the news.
@dylanlufc_: “van de Beek is a serious talent, shows from his time at Ajax, so how we thought he isn’t better than what we have already is beyond me.”
@ianhughes_: “I’m sorry but how are they not better than what we’ve got already? We literally have a bench of school kids every week.”
@LUFC_Worldwide: “We turned down van de Beek and Winks. Absolute madness when you have no centre mids and a team made of glass.”
@markydh: “And there we have it. Bielsa turned down van de Beek. Our entire transfer policy is his doing. Perhaps people will lay off Radz and Orta just a tad.”
@FootyAnalyKris: “I mean there is absolutely no downside to taking van de Beek on loan for the rest of the season. Bizarre decision.”
@tompatterson90: “How does van de Beek and Winks who are both better than our current midfield weaken our squad?”
@MrHominidae: “Bielsa’s rationale has always been that the team is stronger than the sum of its parts. He makes good players, with the right attitude and discipline, great. Together the make a team that plays his way. Why change that now and throw millions at VDB? It would just be Augustin II.”
@markdennett86: “I think we’re foolish not to take van de Beek or Winks on loan. Unless they had starter clauses, they would have been great additions to the squad.”
@L33ds_Un1t3d: “The window is shut now, so no choice but to accept that we go with what we’ve got. If nothing else, it gives us clarity knowing that it’s firmly on Bielsa. You wouldn’t bet against him being right and we stay up. Just feel it’s a risk that didn’t need taking.”
@Craig1pow: “I’m genuinely worried now. How can you turn down two options that would’ve strengthened us? Not only have we turned down, VDB went to a direct rival and strengthened them instead.”
