Leeds must go for ‘special’ Liverpool 22-year-old who’d suit Bielsa, £3.5m move elsewhere reportedly in doubt – TBR View

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With Leeds United back in the Premier League after 16 long years, attention now turns to bolstering the Elland Road ranks so as to hit the ground running in the top flight.

This week, a Liverpool Echo report has emerged claiming Anfield midfielder Ovie Ejaria is facing an uncertain future due to financial troubles at Reading, the club where he spent last season on loan and who were in line to buy him this summer.

The 22-year-old left Anfield last term for a season-long loan switch to the Madejski Stadium, where he impressed in his 36 Championship appearances, claiming three goals and five assists.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, the Reds agreed a fee of around £3.5million last year for Ejaria, to be paid this summer, along with a 20 percent sell-on clause.

However, Reading are reportedly struggling to complete the pre-arranged transfer due to the financial blow dealt by the suspension of football along with fans not being allowed into stadiums.

So, why should Leeds look into swooping for Ejaria if the Royals can’t get the deal over the line?

First of all, he is a talented young player who has a decent amount of experience under his belt despite his age – 55 competitive appearances for Reading, 28 for Rangers, 11 for Sunderland and eight for Liverpool.

At Rangers, Steven Gerrard said he was “absolutely delighted” with him and fellow loanee Ryan Kent in August 2018, while Royals boss Mark Bowen has described him as a “special player” who could become a “top player”.

Next, his versatility – Marcelo Bielsa likes versatile players, and in 2019-20 alone, Ejaria has featured in Reading’s central midfield, attacking midfield, defensive midfield, and the wings.

A scouting report from Football BH in March highlighted Ejaria’s “immense ability to wriggle out of tight situations with his great ball control”, as well as his impressive passing and shooting skills, and adds that he “certainly has the technical quality to play a level above”.

Given a £3.5million deal had reportedly been agreed between Liverpool and Reading, it remains to be seen how much the Reds would increase his price tag in case it falls through.

That said, given his exploits over the past season – according to FBH, “Ejaria has been one of Reading’s most outstanding performers this season and he still has a few more years before hitting his prime” – it’s not an impossibility, but surely Leeds would be able to afford him despite this.

Of course, it’s unlikely that Ejaria would slot straight into the starting XI, but given the importance of bolstering the ranks ahead of a huge season, he would certainly have a lot to offer Bielsa.