Rodrigo de Paul in action for Udinese. (imago Images)
According to a report by Football.london, Leeds United are still linked with a move for Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul. However, they are not the only club interested in him. Liverpool and Arsenal are also in the race for the Argentine.
And speaking to The Guardian (h/t football.london), he revealed that he has had talks about his future at the club. The 27-year-old midfielder has caught the eye of the Premier League clubs after impressing in Serie A. Here, we take a look at why Leeds United need to go all out for him in the summer transfer window.
The Whites had an intriguing season in the Premier League where they not only stayed up after promotion but finished 9th in the league table. That would be difficult to top next season considering the quality of the teams in the league. But one way of doing it would be to add depth and quality to their team.
The Argentine had an impressive individual season in Serie A, where he finished as his side’s top scorer as well as the top creator in all competitions. And hence, it is understandable why some of Europe’s top clubs are after him. If he could produce those numbers again for his next club, surely it would come as a welcome addition to that team.
Apart from that, Leeds are in need of some depth in their midfield. That is because their dependable playmaker, Pablo Hernandez, is set to be released as a free agent this summer. And with him gone, you would think that Marcelo Bielsa might want someone to shore up his midfield next season.
Moreover, Ouasim Bouy and Eunan O’Kane, both midfielders, have also been shown the door at Leeds. Adam Forshaw, another central midfielder, is out of contract in 2022. And with Kalvin Phillips being the trusted defensive midfielder, that leaves Forshaw, Mateusz Klich, and Jamie Shackleton as the natural central midfielders for next season.
With Leeds releasing fifteen players this summer, you would imagine the wage budget has been boosted to help accommodate any new signings. It is said that Udinese could consider an offer near the region of £35million. It remains to be seen if the Serie A side budge from their valuation for the 27-year-old.
But even if they don’t, De Paul is one player Bielsa should look to bring into the Leeds side that seems to be in desperate need of squad depth. If Bielsa’s men are to keep up with the top half of the table again, spending in the summer transfer window could go a long way in helping them do that.
And with De Paul being 27 years old, he can give the club a number of years in midfield. The only question that remains is whether Leeds United would formalize their interest in him. Leeds had a bid rejected for De Paul last summer. If that is true, then it shows Bielsa is an admirer of the Argentine.
