Marcelo Bielsa's thoughts on possibility of loan move for Leeds United youngster as transfer deadline day ticks away

A loan move away from Elland Road is looking increasingly unlikely for Leeds United youngster Oliver Casey as transfer deadline day ticks away.
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The central defender is, at the time of writing, in action for the Whites' Under 23s against Sunderland in Premier League 2 action.

As the YEP reported earlier in the transfer window, Leeds were mulling over the possibility of Casey heading out on loan for the remainder of the 2020/21 season and two EFL clubs expressed an interest in his services.

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League One outfits MK Dons and Oxford United both like the look of the 20-year-old, but the former's ability to make a move was dependent on a player leaving and as Bielsa alluded to in today's press conference at Thorp Arch, game time was the main consideration for Leeds.

When asked if Casey could secure a loan move the head coach replied: "It is difficult to refer to potential outgoings.

"To be able to be convinced of the answer to the question the club would need to know about the possibilities of Casey being away from Leeds - if it is to a club that he can compete at a good level for the rest of the season, then to compare the similar options in the Under-23s, which he is fighting for, also with the return of Berardi, Llorente and Koch."

With no real guarantee of first team football at either of the interested clubs Casey has remained with Leeds and appears destined to see out the season with Mark Jackson's 23s as an option for Bielsa's senior squad if needed.

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Casey has been on the bench for seven Premier League games and started the EFL cup game against Hull City at Elland Road earlier in the season. Bielsa also brought him off the bench during the 3-0 FA Cup exit at Crawley Town and he featured in two of the Whites' three EFL Trophy group stage games.

In PL2 he had made 10 appearances before today's game, featuring in the centre of Jackson's defence and in a defensive midfield role.

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