Lewis Bate is reportedly set to depart from parent club Leeds United, despite enjoying a fruitful loan spell with League One side Oxford United, according to The Athletic.
Bate spent the season on loan with Oxford United and Phil Hay of the Athletic writes the midfielder is set to depart the club on loan once again, with the 20-year-old ‘a long way’ from the first-team picture and this could also mean that the young prospect could leave Elland Road permanently this summer, just two years after joining.
Joining in the summer of 2021 for a fee of £1.5 million, from Chelsea’s youth academy, the youngster was highly thought of in terms of potential, with comparisons drawn to iconic Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf and he enjoyed a good start to life at Elland Road.
Under Jesse Marsch, the young midfielder was given his chance, making four appearances at a senior level during the American’s tenure with the club and was given a chance to earn more regular first-team football as he was sent on loan to League One side Oxford United, helping them escape relegation from the third tier.
Bate made 35 appearances for the U’s this season before returning to parent club Leeds with a hand injury, netting once and providing four assists for the club in a solid campaign which will certainly have turned heads not just at Elland Road, but also the heads of any clubs who may be interested in taking the Englishman on loan next season.
With Leeds relegated from the Premier League, they will be looking at their squad and many faces are expected to leave, midfielder Weston McKennie has already left the club and there is also reported interest in his fellow American international Tyler Adams from Premier League suitors.
It is thought that whoever is still available for Leeds in midfield this summer, Bate will struggle to break into the first team, but the club should surely be taking a look at him during preseason. It seems reasonable to believe the youngster will be assessed before any decisions are made on his future, but bosses at Elland Road will be looking to trim the squad down to the necessities following their relegation.
Writer’s View
Bate certainly has potential, he would not be drawing comparisons to someone like Seedorf at a young age if he did not, but now he needs to be looking to unlock that potential and find a club that will help him do so. If Leeds are not going to offer him first-team football, then he will not become the player he is expected to be and he should be looking elsewhere. A loan could still be the most sensible, however, one situation that springs to mind is Jamie Shackleton, who left for Millwall on a loan-to-buy deal, that could certainly be an answer here for Bate.
Bate is one for our future. Look after him and don’t send him packing permanently