Leeds United won’t have been the only club keeping a keen eye on the Under-21 European Championships this summer. The Whites had six representatives in the competition, including Charlie Cresswell, who was part of the winning England squad, and they will have been keeping tabs on their progress.
However, they will have been watching on with recruitment in mind, too, no doubt. The Whites are keen to add to their squad this summer and they are expected to make use of the loan market in their push for promotion back to the Premier League.
With that in mind, here’s four members of England’s winning squad that could be available on loan this summer.
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Tommy Doyle – Manchester City
Leeds need to sign midfielders this summer and Doyle certainly seems to fit the bill. The 21-year-old, who made two appearances for the Three Lions in Georgia, spent last season on loan at Sheffield United and played a key role in helping Paul Heckingbottom’s side to the Premier League.
He made 38 appearances for the Blades in all competitions, bagging four goals and seven assists along the way and he needs more senior minutes in order to continue his development this season. It seems unlikely that he’ll be able to bag enough chances at his parent club and that means he could be set for another loan this summer.
Sheffield United have been linked with a return for Doyle, meaning Leeds would have stiff competition for his signature should they make a move for him.
Cole Palmer – Manchester City
The attacking midfielder saw his deflected free-kick become the winning goal for England in the final on Saturday night and he’s likely to have clubs queuing around the block to take him on this season, should he be made available. Palmer was a regular off the bench for City last season and his bit-part role was enough to collect Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League winners’ medals.
But, he needs more game time if he is to kick on and fulfil his potential and the Premier League champions might be willing to send him out on loan as a result. There will be top flight interest in the attacking midfielder but he could play a key role for any club towards the top end of the Championship, should his parent club be happy for him to drop down.
Cameron Archer – Aston Villa
Archer certainly knows where the back of the net is and he’s highly rated at his parent club Aston Villa who will have been watching his progress closely over the last few months. The striker showed what he is capable of while on loan at Middlesbrough last season, bagging 11 goals after joining the club on loan in January.
As such, if Villa can’t find room for him in their first-team picture this season, they may be keen for him to build on that progress by going out on loan once more. With Rodrigo expected to leave the club, Leeds are crying out for a goal scorer and Archer looks more than capable of being able to do a job for the Whites.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – Manchester City
Leeds are known to be looking for a centre-back and while Nat Phillips has been mentioned as an option, the Whites would be right to register an interest in Harwood-Bellis should he be made available for loan once more. The 21-year-old spent last season in the heart of Burnley’s backline and after helping Vincent Kompany’s side to promotion, he was selected to captain the U21s in Georgia.
As such, he was the man that led England to the final from defence and he was the first Englishman to get his hands on the trophy in 39 years. It‘s hard to see the Stockport-born defender getting enough chances at the Etihad Stadium this term and, depending on the club’s plan for him, another loan move might be on the cards.
