Leeds United journalist, Phil Hay, has stated that the Whites do not have a buy-back option for Mallik Wilks.

The 20-year-old left the Elland Road outfit in the summer and joined Yorkshire rivals, Barnsley. The two sides met on Sunday, and Marcelo Bielsa's team ran out 2-0 victors thanks to late goals from Eddie Nketiah and Mateusz Klich.

Wilks has been in impressive form for Barnsley so far this season, and looked a constant threat during the weekend's clash against Leeds.

If he's to be a top player in the Championship then he has to improve on his goal-scoring record, as he has just one goal to his name so far in the first seven games of the campaign.

Speaking in a Q and A for the Athletic after the match, Hay said: "I don’t think there’s a buy-back option.

“He was part of the drive to cut excess salaries off the wage bill and raise money to meet FFP limits.

“Realistically, Bielsa wasn’t going to involve him this season. He was decent today – didn’t look out of place in the Championship.”

The Verdict

Wilks has a lot of potential and he has shown that over the last season. He is a player that might have a big future in front of him, and one Leeds might regret selling.

It is good for him however, going away and being able to play his football at Championship level from a very young age, that's one massive positive for him personally from the sale.

If Leeds haven't included a buy-back then they may regret that in the future, especially if they fail to gain promotion to the Premier League in the coming years.

He was impressive on Sunday, and it would have been fitting for him to score against the Whites, but he just needs to improve on how clinical he is and Barnsley will have a brilliant striker.