There was a bit of confusion when Leeds announced Eunan O’Kane had moved to Luton Town last month.
The club stated that he had left on an ‘18-month arrangement’, and it wasn’t really clear whether or not this was a loan or a permanent deal.
Fortunately, we’ve now received a bit more info on what the Irishman’s move is all about.
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What’s the story then?
Football Insider’s report on Friday morning was mostly about Leeds not expecting O’Kane to return to the club, but the site also gave some brilliant insight into the details of the midfielder’s move to the Hatters.
Firstly, the deal is initially an 18-month loan, but that can be cut short by the Whites as they have the option to recall him this summer or in January 2021.
Leeds may not think O’Kane has a future at the club, but football is a funny old game, and they’ve left the door open just in case things change.
No-lose situation
Marcelo Bielsa’s men have been very clever in putting this clause into O’Kane’s move.
The 29-year-old isn’t in Leeds’ plans at the moment, but that could change if he recaptures the form that saw him make 16 Premier League appearances with Bournemouth in the 2015/16 season.
It’s also a large portion of the former Cherries man’s salary off of their wage bill for the next 18 months, and if his loan spell at Luton proves that he isn’t up to playing at Elland Road, then he’s free to go, with his contract expiring at the end of the 2020/21 season.
United have played this one brilliantly, and they simply can’t lose in this situation, particularly if he puts in performances worthy of earning a place back in the Leeds ranks.
In other news, Angus Kinnear’s comments show why it’s now or never for Leeds.