Manager wants on-loan star permanently, but Leeds would be making a mistake

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Bradford City manager Gary Bowyer has suggested that he wants to sign Leeds United defender Paudie O’Connor on  a permanent basis – but should Leeds let that happen?

The 21-year-old has finally broken into the Bradford side of late, starting and finishing his loan side’s last five league games. He even captained his side during their last outing – a 1-1 draw against Gillingham.

O’Connor has huge potential, and has shown that in his recent outings. It is no surprise then, that former Blackburn manager Bowyer wants to keep the Irishman at Leeds’ Yorkshire neighbours.

Bowyer, who signed O’Connor earlier in the season on loan at Blackpool, was quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post as saying that he had no problem in giving the centre-back the armband – and wants to sign him for Bradford this summer.

“He’s a good organiser and I had no problems giving him the captain’s armband. I spoke to him on Sunday about it. But I’m going to shut up now talking about him because I don’t want anybody to take him in the summer, bar us.”

O’Connor broke into the Leeds side last season and made four appearances under Paul Heckingbottom. He showed plenty of potential, so what does Marcelo Bielsa do next?

The towering centre-back has just 12 months remaining on his contract and if Leeds are to receive a fee for his services, he must be sold this summer.

Leeds are lacking in options at centre-back. Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson are the only two recognised first-team centre-backs, and cover is desperately needed. O’Connor can be that man.

If he is good enough to captain a League One side at just 21 years of age, O’Connor is good enough to be given a chance at Elland Road and act as cover for Jansson and Cooper. It would be foolish to let him leave permanently.