Leeds United is gearing up for a crucial enhancement of their Under-21 squad come summer, as they continue to prioritize the development of young talent under the guidance of Victor Orta. The club has historically placed a significant focus on nurturing academy prospects, with players such as Crysencio Summerville, Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood, and Leo Hjelde making the jump to first-team action after initially joining the U23 squad. Among these, Summerville has notably secured a more permanent role at Elland Road, showcasing the potential success of this approach when recruitment and player development are aligned perfectly.
However, the recent period has seen a dip in the effectiveness of this strategy, leading to the U21 team facing its most challenging phase in recent memory—a situation the 49ers enterprise is keenly aware of and likely eager to address.
In line with efforts to bolster their youth ranks, Leeds United has set its sights on Bobby Wales, a promising striker currently showcasing his talent at Alloa on loan from Kilmarnock, as reported by the Daily Record. The young forward has been in impressive form, finding the back of the net seven times in his last eight outings in Scottish League One, drawing attention not just from Leeds but also from other English clubs like Ipswich Town and Stoke City.
Wales isn’t new to the rigors of senior football, having already appeared ten times for Kilmarnock’s main squad, indicating a level of experience that could benefit Leeds’ youth setup. The club’s previous ventures into the Scottish market have brought talents like Stuart McKinstry from Motherwell and, more recently, Lewis Pirie from Aberdeen to Elland Road. While Pirie is currently with the U18s and younger than Wales, the latter is poised to enter directly into the U21 fold should he make the move to Leeds.
As of now, Leeds United’s interest in Wales is in the preliminary scouting phase, but it signals a hopeful direction towards rejuvenating the academy’s strength and continuing its tradition of developing promising young talent.
