Former Leeds United midfielder Michael Brown says looking to recruit players from elsewhere at youth level, could be a smart move for the club going forward, amid reports linking them with a move for Blackburn Rovers youngster Luke Brennan.

It was recently claimed that Leeds, along with Premier League side Brighton, are interested in a move for Brennan, who at 18-years-old is already starting to be given a chance in Blackburn's Under 23s side.

The Whites are also thought to be close to completing the signing of 16-year-old midfielder Charlie Allen from Northern Irish champions Linfield, and Brown believes that recruiting in that age group could be a smart thing for Leeds to do, thanks to the options it could give them in the future.

Speaking to Football Insider about that approach to transfers by the Championship promotion chasers, Brown said: “They’ve always got players coming through at Leeds United with the academy but it would be good if they could possibly invest in a couple that they could bring in at a particular level under the first-team, ones they think can push to get in that squad.

“That would be a nice market, it would improve them – they’ll obviously be focused on here and now, trying to improve and trying to get to the Premier League – but that’s the next step going into the future."

Comparing that to the approach that some Premier League teams may be taking when it comes to the recruitment of those young players, Brown added: “I think as Premier League clubs now, who have been in there for five years or so, who won’t buy that type of player, that development player because they’re not ready now. They’re just saying: ‘We’d love to but it’s just not our remit.'”

The Verdict 

I do think Brown has a fair point here, when you look at Leeds' recent history.

With the likes of Jamie Shackleton and Leif Davis being given their chance in the senior side at an early age, it does seem as though the Whites are comfortable with giving chances to young players, even in high-pressure scenarios.

The chance to get that sort of first-team experience is something that will surely appeal to the likes of Brennan and Allen, and give them plenty of time in their careers to develop and improve their game, something which could then go on benefit Leeds significantly in the future.