Wycombe Wanderers have submitted a bid for wantaway Shrewsbury Town defender Luke Leahy, as revealed in an exclusive by Football League World.
The Shrews skipper handed in a transfer request to the club yesterday. And the Chairboys have been quick to act on this information, as they have submitted a bid for the defender, who has been converted to more of a midfield role under Steve Cotterill since arriving at the Meadow. Leahy came in as a left wing-back for the Salop, but this season saw him featuring as a central midfielder.
Leahy is a wanted man this summer, with the Shrews reportedly having rejected numerous bids for the midfielder already as Wycombe add the former Bristol Rovers man to their shopping list this transfer window. The 30-year-old angered his former manager Joey Barton at the back end of the last season, as the Gas boss criticised the player for celebrating in front of the travelling fans after his goal.
With 12 months left on his contract, the midfielder is ready to move on from Shropshire and requested his transfer. Leahy spent two seasons with the club, making 101 appearances, scoring on 21 occasions and providing 11 assists. The midfielder signed a two-year deal upon his arrival from Bristol Rovers, and the Shrews added a one-year extension option, which they triggered at the end of last season. However, it appears with his transfer request that he does not intend to stick around for those 12 months.
Wycombe finished eight points off the playoffs last season and will be looking to go again this year. Midway through the season, they lost manager Gareth Ainsworth, who took charge at Championship side Queens Park Rangers. Matt Bloomfield took over at the club, but they fell short of the playoff places. The club today completed the loan signing of Manchester City starlet Kian Breckin, beating Championship side Leeds United to the signing. The club also released midfielder Lewis Wing at the end of his contract last month. Wing is expected to be reuniting with former boss Ainsworth at Loftus Road.
Writer’s View
Leahy’s request to leave has come as a bombshell for the Shrews. However, there is no point in keeping a player who does not want to be around, especially when that player has 12 months left on their deal. The Chairboys are looking to fill the void of Lewis Wing, and Leahy could be a good fit with his new midfield role. His numbers showed impressive improvements between the two seasons in League One with the Salop.
