Leeds United Linked with Burton’s Jackson Irvine

Amidst reports that Leeds United want 3 more players, one Jackson Irvine has been linked with a move to the club. The star of Burton Albion last season, Irvine was a key part in the Brewers not being relegated last season. His ability to score is something Thomas Christiansen is reportedly a big fan of. Irvine scored 10 goals last season; Kyle Bartley, Souleymane Doukara, and Pablo Hernandez all were tied for second last season with 6 goals. Just in case you forgot how bad out goalscoring options were last season. Leeds have done a pretty dang good job in bringing in goalscoring reinforcements but apparently aren’t satisfied in what they see from midfield.

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Jackson Irvine is an Australian international. He started playing in Europe after a successful trial got him contract at Celtic. However, things never really worked out for him at Celtic Park, as he was loaned out to Kilmarnock and Ross County in back to back years before signing permanently for the Staggies in 2015. After another year at Ross County, Irvine was on the move again. Burton Albion reportedly broke their transfer record to sign Irvine for a reported fee of £330,000, and the rest is history. Irvine shone for the Brewers last season, being named Burton’s Player of the Year after not letting the club be relegated.

Irvine has appeared internationally too, for both Scotland and Australia. He had three appearances for Scotland’s u19 team before playing for Australia’s u20, u23, and senior team.

Burton Albion are doing everything they can to keep the player with the club for at least one more season but will have a tough time holding on to Irvine amid interest from bigger clubs.

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At this point, when it comes to midfielders, I start to wonder who will leave instead of who will come. Let me start off by saying that Jackson Irvine would be a great buy in my opinion. The 24-year-old knows how to score goals. He’s been on mediocre teams throughout his career, so some could hope his success skyrockets when he’s surrounded by talent on a team like a Leeds United. But unless we really want to go for a 2-7-1 formation, someone will have to go. Of course, the obvious Toumani Diagouraga comes to mind as the first to go but after that, who knows? There was once a time where Eunan O’Kane was rumored to basically be traded to Wolves. Pablo Hernandez was rumored to have been courted by Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and his spot in the team may be in jeopardy thanks to the likes of Samu Sáiz and Mateusz Clich. It’ll be interesting to see how our midfield shapes up come the regular season. Only time will tell if Jackson Irvine is part of that midfield

How would YOU feel about Jackson Irvine suiting up for Leeds? Outside of Diagouraga, which midfielder do you think is on his way out of Elland Road? Let me know in the comments! MOT