According to The Athletic’s Phil Hay, Leeds United are in advanced talks to sign young midfielder Jadan Raymond from Crystal Palace after he rejected a professional contract at the Selhurst Park outfit.
The 16-year-old is also wanted by Portuguese top-flight side Vitoria Guimaraes and has been guaranteed regular training with their first team and an immediate move into their B team.
Raymond wants a clear pathway into first-team football, and Marcelo Bielsa offers that at Elland Road, with seven under-23 players named in his matchday squad that faced Cardiff City last Sunday.
Ian Poveda and Robbie Gotts, both 20, were handed their league debuts in the second-half and the Palace midfielder could be tempted to choose Leeds ahead of Vitoria Guimaraes.
Raymond has been with the Eagles since he was eight, and while there is still a chance that he will sign a deal ahead of June 30, an exit remains very much on the cards.
Leeds have the intention of incorporating him into their senior set-up within the next 18 months, and they can end up paying as high as £1 million in compensation for his signature.
The Whites are favourites to earn Premier League promotion this season having been relegated since 2004, and doing that will come as a added boost as they look to make their academy and youth squad one of the best in the world.
