Amidst tumbling displays and unravelling morale last season at Leeds United, there were some bright spots. One of these was Luke Ayling.
Even in a season curtailed somewhat by injury, Ayling showed a level of consistency that Whites fans had become accustomed to since the former Bristol City right-back arrived at Elland Road.
His displays at right-back, anchoring that side of the defensive line, have been augmented by his ability to bomb forward down the right flank, Ayling adding an attacking element to his play.
All of this has combined to endear him to fans on the terraces, fans who can see his true worth to a developing Leeds United side. Which is why there is a developing sense of ire on Twitter with news that Championship rivals West Brom are interested in landing him.
Some sources have said that the Baggies are set to offer £5million for Ayling, something that hasn’t gone down well with Leeds United fans across social media, but especially so on Twitter.
Here’s a collection of what some fans are saying – we’ll at least the sanitised ones:
New poster in place at ER. The club have taken the one down featuring Ronnie and replaced him with Ayling.#LUFC #MOT #ALAW pic.twitter.com/UFDgXB0WwR
— LS11 – Leeds United Media (@LS11LUFC) August 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/richard49907828/status/1027499433150345216?s=21
https://twitter.com/mattjlufc/status/1027497981430386688?s=21
They’re not having our LUKE Ayling …. #lufc
— Philippa Vereker (@PhilippaVereker) August 9, 2018
@PhilHayYEP Phil PLEASE tell me that Ayling isn’t going 😭😭😭😵😵😵 #LUFC
— LUFC💙💛 (@LeedsUnited97) August 9, 2018
@lukeayling_8 don’t you be going anywhere!!!! Please 👏🏼
— Pasquale Hester💙🏆💛 (@statdwarfe) August 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/jamienicholas01/status/1027499497683857408?s=21
If @lukeayling_8 leaves I’m boycotting 😩 #lufc #TransferDeadLineDay
— Liam (@liam__healy) August 9, 2018
The mood of Leeds United fans is clear on this front, they are definitely not happy about any manner of link between Luke Ayling and the word ‘transfer’. With the Whites looking to build a side that is both consistent and a threat, letting go a player that is both of those is definitely seen as a mistake.
However, should there be any element of truth in the figure quoted, £5million, then it might be something that Leeds United would have to listen to. Not according to the massive majority of their fans though – Twitter tells you that clearly.