Leeds United have missed out on a chance to lure Preston North End defender Josh Earl to Yorkshire after the teenager extended his stay at the Deepdale Stadium until 2020.
Alongside the Premier League quartet of Newcastle, Liverpool, Brighton and Bournemouth, the Elland Road club have shown strong interest in Earl, 18, of recent, sending scouts to watch him in action.
However, manager Alex Neil wasn’t going to let such a talented youngster get snapped up by a fellow Premier League-chasing team, and now wants to keep him after giving him the opportunity to impress this term.
Earl, a Preston academy graduate has featured in the league games against Reading, Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, and the club didn’t lose any of the 3.
Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen wants to further shore up his fullback options, but has now been dealt a huge blow with Preston quickly moving to secure the future of their man.
The Peacocks currently top the Championship table and are undefeated in all 7 games thus far. While they boast of a solid XI, quality depth would be required if they are to last the distance and earn EPL promotion at the end of the season.
Having missed out on Earl, who could have been a decent defensive backup, Leeds now have to consider other options when the transfer window re-opens in January.
