Steve Evans has revealed to the Yorkshire Evening Post that no decision has been made over a potential permanent deal for on-loan midfielder Liam Bridcutt. The Scottish international appears to be surplus-to-requirements with parent club Sunderland, but the managerial situation at Elland Road isn’t helpful in this situation either.
Following their final home game of the season, a defeat to relegated Charlton, Evans praised Bridcutt and has revealed that if he were to stay at the club, he would do all he could to keep him with the Whites long-term. Since initially joining in November, he has become a key player at the heart of the Leeds midfield.
The former Brighton man is set to make his 28th appearance of his loan spell this weekend away to Preston North End, managed by former Leeds boss Simon Grayson. It is something of an unknown if that will be his final display in a Leeds United jersey.
The player himself has already made his feelings known, he wants to stay, when asked back in February,
“For me, yes I’d like to stay at Leeds if the circumstances are right. Every club I’m at, I want to be aiming high and I want the club to aim high. If Leeds are willing to do that in the summer then I’d be happy to stay.”
Evans revealed that when meeting with owner Massimo Cellino last week, there was no discussion of Bridcutt mentioned. When asked if it had been discussed, the ex-Rotherham boss simply replied “No, its not”. He currently has a year left on his Sunderland deal and if any permanent deal were to be arranged, then Leeds would surely look to negotiate a decrease on the £25,000-a-week wages he gets at The Stadium of Light.
The combative midfielder and ball-winner was integral in Leeds’ mid-season unbeaten run of seven games, which all but assured the club of avoiding any realistic battle against relegation. However with Evans’ deal also up this summer and reportedly unlikely to be extended, there is plenty of confusion in the air.
What we do know is that the future of Steve Evans needs to be cleared up and cleared up very quickly. Once that is sorted, then the likes of Bridcutt can decide if Leeds United is where they want to be next season.
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