Leeds United are edging closer to another club-record signing and this one could help fill the void left behind by former Marcelo Bielsa favourite Samuel Saiz…
What’s the word?
According to Football Insider, the Yorkshire giants have agreed on personal terms with Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, although a fee between the two teams is yet to be finalised.
It’s thought that the Premier League newcomers have offered a lucrative contract that is substantially more than his current €28k-per-week (£25k-per-week) wages.
This comes just a few days after transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Serie A outfit would ask for between €30m (£26.5m) and €35m (£31m). Talks remain ongoing.
Shades of Saiz
Well, this would not only be one incredible signing for Leeds but also one hell of a statement to the rest of the Premier League having already eclipsed their club-record with a £26m swoop for Rodrigo from Valencia last week.
The 26-year-old seems to be the perfect all-round midfielder – per WhoScored, De Paul provided seven goals and six assists in Serie A last season. He also averaged 2.5 shots, 2.3 key passes, 1.8 dribbles and 1.8 tackles per game.
It’s no surprise to see many sing his praises both on a domestic and international level.
His manager Luca Gotti told Tuttomercato: “I think he is a player who has all the requirements for the high level. From a mental attitude point of view, he has a great personality.”
Meanwhile, former Valencia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi believes the box-to-box maestro “is the best prospect to come through in Argentina in the last five years.”
He very much sounds like a certain Saiz, described as a “natural, head-up dribbler capable of cutting in dangerously from the left and firing powerful and accurate efforts on goal,” this is certainly something United could do in that transition from defensive midfield to attack.
Saiz was the perfect complement to veteran Pablo Hernandez, but now that door is opened for De Paul should Victor Orta and co manage to secure him this summer.
AND in other news, Leeds told to pay £20m for Premier League winger…
The post Leeds target Rodrigo De Paul can become Bielsa’s next Samuel Saiz first appeared on FootballFanCast.com.
