Why Leeds United should beat their Championship rivals to sign Jake Hastie
According to the Daily Record, scouts from West Brom, Leeds United, Norwich City and Swansea City are all keeping tabs on Scottish starlet Jake Hastie, with League One promotion hopefuls Sunderland also showing a keen interest.
The 19-year-old has impressed for Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership this season, accumulating three goals and an assist from 4 appearances. Hastie has played an important role in all of Motherwell’s recent victories, with the youngster scoring the winner in his first league start in the 1-0 victory over Hibernian.
He then followed it up with a brace in the 3-0 victory over Livingston and continued his metaphoric rise with a stunning 20-yard left-footed drive from outside the box in the 2-1 win over St. Mirren.
A product of Motherwell’s youth system, Hastie spent time on loan at Scottish League One side Airdrieonians and Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic before being recalled by his parent club in the January transfer window. The 19-year-old has taken the league by storm and as a matter of fact, Motherwell are yet to lose a game since the return of one of their own.
Standing at 6ft. with a well-built frame, Hastie is primarily a left-winger by trade even though he is capable of playing on the right and through the middle as a centre forward. Blessed with good pace, drive determination and commendable upper body strength, he combines his physical attributes with his technical abilities to cut inside from the flanks, shifting the ball on to his favourite left foot to have a crack on goal.
Furthermore, the youngster is pretty sharp and subtle with his movement in and around the penalty area. He is not bad when it comes to winning aerial duels as well.
To put things into perspective, he would be an ideal signing for any of the aforementioned Championship club. But Leeds United can bag a massive coup if they can get their hands on the highly-rated Scottish prodigy. The Peacocks have had a wonderful season in the second tier under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa and they should look forward to strengthening their squad with some promising youngsters in the summer.
Academy product Jack Clarke has attracted interest from the Premier League clubs and Leeds might find it difficult to keep hold of their prized asset. Manchester City loanee Jack Harrison, veteran Pablo Hernández and Ezgjan Alioski are currently the only realistic options for the manager in the wide areas and someone like Hastie can add a bit more depth to the options.
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That being said, the Peacocks should look to strike a deal for the 19-year-old next summer irrespective of what the future holds for Clarke and Harrison and whether or not they manage to make it to the Premier League.
