Harry Wilson breaks silence on failed Leeds United transfer and Fulham future
Leeds United saw a deadline-day transfer swoop for the Fulham star fall through.
In-form Fulham winger Harry Wilson has opened up on his failed deadline-day transfer to Leeds United.
The 28-year-old was the subject of late-summer interest from Elland Road, with Leeds and Fulham locked in talks right through the window’s final hours. Whites managing director Robbie Evans revealed afterwards a deal sheet was sent into the Premier League with belief in West Yorkshire a move could go through, but they were left empty handed when the Cottagers pulled out.
Wilson was on international duty with Wales at the time and came within touching distance of joining compatriots Joe Rodon, Dan James, Karl Darlow and Ethan Ampadu at Leeds. He eventually remained at Craven Cottage and has enjoyed an excellent first-half of the season, registering five goals and three assists in 13 Premier League games.
"It was the first time it had happened to me," Wilson told Sky Sports of the deadline-day drama. "I'm used to watching it on Sky Sports, so to be part of it was different. My phone was going off every two minutes.
“It was going to happen, then it wasn't going to happen. Then it was back on, then it was off. It wasn't a certain few days or 24 hours. I didn't know where I was going to be. It was a bit of a relief when the window closed and I could concentrate on the football."
Wilson has been free to concentrate on football ever since but will soon need to make a decision on his future. The Welshman’s contract at Fulham expires at the end of this season and as of January, he is theoretically free to speak with foreign clubs regarding a summer move.
Harry Wilson’s Fulham contract stance amid Leeds United interest
Leeds remain interested in signing a creative right-winger/No.10 type, either in January or next year, and given his form at Fulham and expiring contract it’s feasible Wilson remains on the radar of Elland Road chiefs. And there is still no palpable progress on talks over an extension with Marco Silva’s side.
"I'm fully focused on playing. I play football because I love the game and wherever I am, it's got to be somewhere where I'm going to play,” the Welshman admitted of his future. "That's what I played for before, that's what I love doing. If we get to the World Cup, I want to be in the best shape going into that.
“I think what's going to put me in the best position is somewhere where I'm playing, getting the minutes, playing well. Hopefully scoring and assisting, I've been able to do that the last couple of months and then whatever happens after that happens. Fulham is somewhere I wanted somewhere to call home.
“For the last four-and-a-half years, it's somewhere I've been really, really happy here. I feel like we've had some amazing times together, we've won the Championship, we've had three solid years in the Premier League and I'm hoping this will be another one. But this next contract has got to be right for me and my family. So yeah, we'll see what happens."