A report in the Bristol Post claims that Arsenal have tried and failed to sign Freddie Woodman on a permanent deal, with them suggesting that the young goalkeeper will seal a loan move to Leeds United in January instead.
The story states that he’s still highly thought of by Rafa and remains in his long term plans – which is no doubt why we are said to have dismissed any permanent offers.
Instead, a loan move to Championship high flyers Leeds United would be a great move, giving him a chance to play senior football at a high level – with Bielsa’s side 2nd at present and pushing for immediate promotion back to the Premier League.
Woodman has recently been called up to the bench for the past couple of games after an injury to Karl Darlow, and although this suggests that he may now be ahead of Rob Elliot in the pecking order, he does need a loan move in January.
The form of Martin Dubravka would make it unlikely that Woodman gets much chance this season, unless there is an injury or dramatic loss in form of course.
So, a loan move would make sense for both parties as an England U21 International needs to be playing games at senior level – and not for our U-23’s.
Let’s hope there’s something in this, with a few months at Leeds likely to do wonders for him.
