The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has claimed that Leeds United remain interested in signing Wigan prospect Sean McGurk.

What's the story?

Reports in recent months had suggested Marcelo Bielsa's side were eyeing up a move for the 17-year-old, who has yet to make a single competitive appearance for the first-team at Wigan.

And, speaking on The Phil Hay Show, the journalist said: "The incomings are quiet, and that was what we expected. I never rule out academy signings at Leeds, because they seem to be recruiting on that front all the time.

“McGurk, the youngster over at Wigan, again, that you mentioned is somebody Leeds are still interested in."

Bielsa's next Klich

At 17, McGurk is hardly going to come in and be a hit in the first-team straight away, but his performances at youth level with Wigan point to someone who could make a real mark in the future.

Speaking back in February 2020, the Latics' U18s coach, Peter Murphy, said: "Sean (McGurk) was brilliant, he's been amazing. He had a slow start to his scholarship with an injury in the summer, but since he's been fit, he's got himself into the team and stayed there. He's so effective in games, he sets things up, he scores goals and he'll always do that because of his ability."

Able to play in the centre of the park or even out wide on the right, McGurk has shown flashes of his immense potential, netting in back-to-back games in the FA Youth Cup last season, including against Manchester United.

The 17-year-old could be the man Bielsa looks at as being Mateusz Klich's long-term successor at Elland Road. The Poland international, who turns 31 later this year, has been a real goal threat from midfield for Leeds over the past couple of seasons, registering 11 goal contributions last season, and a whopping 20 the year before.

In McGurk, Bielsa could find something similar, just like his coach Murphy said. And when you think of how disappointing summer signing Rodrigo has been - he's scored just three times in 17 games - it may not be too long before the now Wigan starlet makes his mark on the first-team and even goes on to overtake the Spaniard.