Leeds-born links being overplayed in apparent Leeds United transfer interest in Andy Rinomhota

Add as preferred source on Google

One of the latest transfer rumours doing the rounds regarding Leeds United involves Reading midfield general Andy Rinomhota. 

Rumours have been rumbling for a week or so regarding the Elland Road side’s keenness to sign the player. Reading boss Mark Bowen added fuel to that flame last week, telling Get Reading about the Whites’ interest. 

“He has come up through our academy and has established himself now with teams like Leeds talking about him.

“But I don’t care about that, it’s what he does for us and hopefully he’s fit and available for selection on Saturday again.”

So why does it seem unlikely?

A lot of weight behind this rumour relates to his place of birth. Rinomhota was indeed born in Leeds. However, it does not make him a die-hard Leeds native or even a fan. In case of the latter, quite the opposite. 

He did not come through the ranks at Leeds or even in West Yorkshire. In fact, Rinomhota was on the books of non-league AFC Portchester from the age of seven, as reported by Portsmouth News. ‘Portchy’ as they are known, are based in Fareham in Hampshire – it is hardly Beeston. 

It was here that he started to make a name for himself under former Arsenal and England player Graham Rix. Reading were tipped off about the talented non-league star and signed him to their books in 2015. 

On top of that, his Leeds roots did not stop him from being a huge fan of the West Yorkshire side’s biggest foes. As Rinomhota told the Reading FC website before an FA Cup clash with Manchester United earlier this year, he was a boyhood Red Devils supporter. 

“The thought of going to Old Trafford, playing Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, in front of 70-odd thousand people – that’ll be massive and a whole experience in itself.

“I was brought up supporting Manchester United so it’s always been there for me to want to play at Old Trafford, and hopefully now I’ll have the chance.”

TBR’s View

So, whilst the Leeds-born link drums up enough sentimentally to suggest a deal is on the cards, it looks unlikely to play a big factor regarding Rinomhota’s decision. 

That’s not to say Rinomhota won’t be on his way to Leeds sometime in the future, but the fact he was born there doesn’t appear to be that important a factor.