Arthur Cabral has been in sensational form in the 2019/20 campaign (Getty Images)
Back in August, a report from Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte (h/t The Sun) claimed that Leeds United had tabled a £16.3million bid for FC Basel striker Arthur Cabral. However, a move to Elland Road fell through after the Swiss outfit demanded a fee close to £18million to part ways with the 22-year-old hitman.
Leeds eventually signed Spain international Rodrigo Moreno before the summer deadline, thus ending their reported pursuit of Cabral.
Arthur Cabral joined Ceara’s youth set-up in Brazil back in 2014. He made his first-team debut in Serie B in the following campaign and spent time on loan at Palmeiras before establishing himself as a regular fixture at his boyhood club. Cabral helped Ceara secure promotion to the top-flight in 2017, scoring 4 goals in 16 league appearances.
He then followed it up with an impressive tally of 24 goals in 55 games across all competitions in 2018, which paved the way for a permanent transfer to Palmeiras. Cabral, though, failed to make a big impact at his new club, making just 4 appearances over nine months, before completing a loan move to FC Basel in 2019.
The 22-year-old enjoyed an impressive debut season in Switzerland, plundering 18 goals in 36 appearances last term. Cabral’s loan move was eventually turned into a permanent transfer in the summer. The Brazilian has certainly justified that with a strong start of the 2020-21 campaign, registering 4 goals and an assist in 5 appearances for Basel so far.
Rodrigo Moreno is yet to make a massive impact in West Yorkshire following his move from Valencia in the summer, scoring just once. The same can’t be said of Patrick Bamford, though. The former Chelsea man has announced himself in the Premier League emphatically, spearheading the Whites’ fine start to the 2020-21 campaign with 6 goals in 6 games so far.
The 27-year-old’s hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Aston Villa comes as a timely reminder of his Premier League credentials. However, Bamford does have a habit of tailing off midway through campaigns and Marcelo Bielsa should be aware of that. Rodrigo has enough experience at the highest level but is yet to inspire much confidence.
Leeds have been troubled by Bamford’s extended goal droughts in the Championship over the past two seasons. They should take steps to ensure that such inconsistencies do not jeopardise their prospects in the top-flight. Adding another striker to the ranks would, therefore, be a smart piece of business when the market reopens in January.
Leeds United making a renewed attempt to sign Arthur Cabral would add another dimension to their forward line. The 22-year-old has been scoring goals for fun in Switzerland and seems to have the potential to make the step up to a more competitive league in Europe.
Standing at 6ft 1in with a robust and towering frame, Cabral is predominantly a target man who would offer Bielsa a different kind of option in front of goal. As evident from his heat map last season, Cabral not only excels with his goalscoring prowess inside the box but also tends to drop deep to contribute to the build-up with his smart hold-up play.
Bielsa’s dynamic philosophy demands a lot of work from the No.9 off the ball. Cabral has the qualities to slot seamlessly into the Argentine’s plans at Elland Road.
Arthur Cabral has made significant strides towards delivering on his enormous potential and still has his best years ahead of him at 22. Leeds can certainly do with a bit more cover and competition up top and the Brazilian could be a real asset if Bielsa manages to get the best out of him.
The Whites fell just short of Basel’s asking price for the striker in the summer but they shouldn’t hesitate to test the Swiss club’s resolve over the Brazilian with an improved offer come January.