Pedro De La Vega
According to Argentinian outlet Ole (h/t Leeds Live), Leeds United are set to table a bid of £3.8m for Lanus winger Pedro De La Vega.
The teenage winger had a breakthrough campaign last season, scoring four goals from 24 games across all competitions for Argentine top-division side Lanus. Despite being 19, De La Vega’s swift rise through the ranks at Lanus gives a fair idea of his talent and potential.
Having proved himself at the highest level in Argentina already, De La Vega had earlier attracted interest from Atalanta, Inter Milan and Genoa in the past apart from Leeds. However, it is the newly-promoted Premier League side Leeds, who have come up with a concrete offer for the rising Argentine winger. (h/t Leeds Live)
Leeds, meanwhile, have secured Premier League promotion after 16 years, winning the Championship last season under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa.
One of the major reasons for Leeds’s success last season has been an excellent attack that scored a massive 77 goals from 46 Championship matches.
Wingers Jack Harrison and Helder Costa played a key role in helping Leeds dominate the league standings with their sensational form in front of goal. Harrison, who featured on the left flank racked up six goals and eight assists while Costa, who played on the right scored four and provided six assists respectively. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Having proved their mettle already in the Championship last season, the two are favourites to start under Bielsa when Leeds return to the Premier League next season.
However, apart from these two, Leeds lack depth in their winger’s role with the only back-up being youngster Ian Poveda. The 20-year-old just joined the Whites last January from Manchester City’s under-23 squad and is yet to make an impact.
Thus, it is clear that Leeds need new faces in their wings. And the club should make a move for rising talent De La Vega. A versatile winger, he can operate on both flanks and can be a valuable addition to Leeds.
Moreover, the Argentine is a cheaper alternative for Leeds’s primary target Ryan Kent, for whom they have to pay as much as £14m to Scottish side Rangers. Hence, Leeds must push ahead with their efforts to bring De La Vega and land him at Elland Road as soon as possible.
Leeds have a dearth of established wingers in their ranks and De La Vega’s arrival would sort out that problem. He can also offer manager Bielsa plenty of options next season when they play in the physically challenging Premier League. Also, he is still in his teens and can develop further under the guidance of a coach like Bielsa.
