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# How close Leeds came to signing Harry Wilson and why this summer is different

- **Source:** 
- **Published:** 9 Jun
- **Club:** Leeds United
- **Original URL:** https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/how-close-leeds-united-came-34087494

That form leaves Leeds United admiring the player but perhaps frustrated. They were within a hair’s breadth from signing the attacker on deadline day last summer until the move collapsed late in the day.

An improved fee had been agreed and a transfer deal sheet had been signed, with the player inking the dotted line, as did Leeds. Now it was down to Fulham, who had given Wilson’s agents a price over the preceding weekend, which United had met prior to upping their bid on Monday.

On deadline day itself, Fulham signed Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin and it appeared as though that would be the makeweight to allow Wilson to exit. However, with minutes to go until the deadline, club sources described how the Cottagers pulled the plug.

"My phone was going off every two minutes. It was going to happen, then it wasn't going to happen. Then it was back on, then it was off,” Wilson would later recount.

"It wasn't a certain few days or 24 hours. I didn't know where I was going to be. It was a bit of a relief when the window closed and I could concentrate on the football."

United enter this summer remaining as a Premier League team and surely with tabs still on Wilson given his season form and free agent status. They can be encouraged by the fact that the 29-year-old is attracted by the project at Elland Road given the club has only enhanced its position from last year.

Plus, Leeds’ Wales cohort has got to be a pull, with Ethan Ampadu admitting he speaks “glowingly” of the club while away with his country, probably with Wilson within earshot - the Fulham man was away with Wales as the deadline day drama was unfolding.

However, while Leeds are in a good position, the landscape for Wilson has altered after a fine season.

Speculation claims a number of Premier League rivals, including those in European competition, are planning a swoop for the attacker. They can offer more prestige and higher wages.

Wilson outlined back in December that he would be looking for consistent game time next season. “Wherever I am, it’s got to be somewhere where I’m going to play,” he said.

Leeds could offer that. Farke will have to make a decision on what formation he wishes to deploy next season but in either case, Wilson would be able to operate as a right winger or as a wide 10.

The problem, obviously, is that other teams higher up the table could potentially also grant his game time wish. At 29, Wilson is at his peak and his next deal, whomever he signs with, will take him beyond that - and Leeds themselves will be aware of this.

There is also the question of whether this was a purple season for Wilson or a prolonged rise in output, albeit that unknowable is less of an issue given he would cost nothing to bring in and Leeds don't have a club to negotiate with.

Leeds have a lot going for them but this time also have more things against them - namely greater rival interest and a rise in wage demands.

Yet this could be the story with most of their targets this summer if they are to bring in the next-level players they desire. Better get used to it, then