Will Leeds United miss out on Rangers winger Barrie McKay?

Barrie McKay was rumored to be in line for a switch to England and Leeds United a few weeks ago, and while the Leeds links have cooled down as of late, McKay still seems to think his future lies outside of Scotland.

McKay had been dropped from the Europa League squad by Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha amid rumors of his refusal to sign a new deal. The winger has less than a year left on his deal with Rangers FC, and after a tough first season back in the SPFL, he might be looking to move on. He flourish under former Rangers manager Mark Warburton, but after Caixinha came aboard, McKay saw a drop in minutes.

With rumors of his banishment to the youth squad combined with the decision to drop McKay for the Europa League tie, Caixinha has sent a clear signal to the 22 year-old winger that his future lies elsewhere. Rangers brought in eight new signings this off-season in an attempt to revive the club’s fortunes against Old Firm rivals Celtic FC, and with four of them in the starting XI in the opening Europa League match, he has signaled his intent to blood the newcomers quickly and replace established players.

McKay looks to be one of the players that will be replaced, and naturally the rumors have started that he looks to be reunited with his old boss at Rangers, Mark Warburton, who is currently the boss at Nottingham Forest. He is also rumored to be a target for a move to Wales and Cardiff City, with manager Neil Warnock rumored to be interested in McKay after missing out on Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes to Celtic.

With all of the noise coming from the continent about Samu Saiz, Ezgjian Alioski, and confirmed signing Mateusz Klich, the McKay rumor was easy to forget about. And while the 22 year old has talent, it would be surprising to see him go to Leeds, as there are already established players on the wings and the two most likely transfer candidates, Alioski and Saiz, are both wingers as well. Unlike both Saiz and Alioski, McKay is young, but it still doesn’t make a ton of sense if Leeds have already identified replacements or additions at the wing already.

All of this might really be for naught anyway, because Nottingham Forest looks to be the most likely destination for McKay due to his relationship with Mark Warburton. So while Leeds fans might see McKay at Elland Road this season, he will likely be wearing red and playing for Forest.