Leeds United seem very close to announcing the signing for Scotland international Barry Douglas. The player underwent a medical late last week and has been spotted at Elland Road this afternoon. Leeds are expected to pay around £3 million for the player who had fourteen assists and five goals to his name last season.
#lufc Douglas as we speak at Elland Road now! pic.twitter.com/WZLV9Vynx8
— Lisa Millar (@millar1927) July 28, 2018
There is no doubt that the photo is of Barry Douglas before I start talking about the transfer, that’s Douglas and it’s 100% at Elland Road. The left-back was part of the Wolverhampton Wanderers side who romped the league last year and he, along with opposite wing-back Matt Docherty were regarded as key players as the system allowed Wolves to play expansive and attacking football.
Douglas hasn’t had a straight-forward career after coming into a first-team environment at Queen’s Park and then Dundee United. A young full-back who was quickly linked with clubs, including Leeds after and encouraging start to his Scottish Premier League career. Celtic and Rangers were inevitably linked but Douglas didn’t really peak and eventually he decided it was time to broaden his horizons.
He left for Polish club Lech Poznan where he was considered a success, and on to Turkey and Konyaspor where he again impressed. His move to Wolves came last summer and just one season in the second tier of English football has been the biggest and most productive step yet. Now a Scotland international the wing-back finished with more assists than anyone in the division last season and a five goal return.
Douglas is the best attacking left-back in the division, Ryan Sessegnon plays as a winger, or played, both were promoted but Douglas is set to join Leeds United for a second Championship campaign in two years. Leeds are bagging a player with a very cultured left-foot and an engine, you don’t play as a wing back for the full season, as consistently as him without being one of the fittest players in the division.
Is £3 million a fair price? Bizarrely it seems to be a bad deal for Wolves if anyone. Leeds had initially been expected to pay £5 million which seemed fair, probably not any more than you would play for the best left-back in your division anyway. A deal seems set to be done and now everyone is just awaiting an official announcement. The number three shirt has been left vacant this week, I wonder why?
