Unexpected: McGilligan believes Leeds may have made 'interesting' guarantee to secure signing

His comments came off the back of reports that suggest that Leeds will beat other Premier League sides (via Daily Mail) to the 18-year-old’s signature.

Perkins turned down a professional contract at West Ham United last month and the Hammers announced that their academy product would be looking for a new club.

It now seems as if Leeds have won that battle, and McGilligan has claimed that the Whites perhaps offered the striker something the others couldn’t.

Speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, he said: “I think what Leeds have done is they’ve almost guaranteed him that he’s going to be part of the first-team picture – similar to Gyabi.

“So I actually think that he’s going to be in and around the first team a lot more than people think.

“I don’t think he’s gonna be transitioned into the U21s as obviously as people think. I think he’s going to come in and he’s going to be part of that substitute setup and it’s going to be interesting to see [how] Leeds United deploy him.”

The exciting talent was in fine form for the Hammers’ U23 outfit last season, scoring 12 goals in 21 Premier League 2 appearances as the east Londoners finished second to Manchester City.

He appeared three times for the first team last term, including a start in the Irons’ 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League. 

The £1.08m-rated starlet has also been making his presence felt at international level, scoring four times in 10 caps for England U18s and he looks certain to add to the pool of quality youngsters at Elland Road that includes Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood, who are also raring to pounce should Patrick Bamford get injured.

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