Leeds United turned down several bids for midfielder Lewis Bate over the summer.
Bate was reportedly courted by both League One and Europa Conference League clubs, but all were turned down by Leeds, according to Football League World.
Bate is said to have hoped for a first-team opportunity at Leeds this season after an impressive loan spell at Oxford United, but that has not been the case.
Aside from a brief appearance in the Carabao Cup against Shrewsbury Town in August, Bate has spent the season with Leeds’ U21s, a level for which he is clearly overqualified.
Leeds rejected both straight loan offers and loans with options-to-buy for Bate who is now said to be desperate to go and test himself at senior level once again.
Bate’s contract expires at the end of the season, so Leeds must decide whether they believe he has a future at Elland Road.
The 21-year-old has looked decent in every appearance for Leeds’ first team, but his height and slim build have clearly worked against him.
However, Bate has enough quality in possession to compensate, with his dribbling and passing range being arguably as good as anyone at the club right now.
It is unfair to Bate to keep him in the U21s past January, as his age now dictates that he should be playing first team football on a regular basis.
As a result, when the transfer window opens, Leeds should sanction a move for him. The ideal scenario would be to tie him to a new contract, but it appears that ship has sailed.
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