Why Ze Luis would be an unbelievable signing for Leeds United
Leeds United are interested in signing Spartak Moscow forward Ze Luis to strengthen their Championship title charge. According to reports in Russia, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have offered a staggering £10.5 million to bring the Cape Verde international to Elland Road.
The fee would eclipse what Leeds paid for Patrick Bamford last summer. It would make Ze Luis the Whites’ most expensive player since Robbie Fowler’s £11million move from Liverpool in November 2001. It highlights the Elland Road hierarchy’s desire to claim the Championship’s top spot and an automatic first return to the Premier League since 2004.
Good Move or Bad?
Ze Luis has shone at Spartak Moscow since arriving at the club in the summer of 2015. Since completing his move from Portuguese side Sporting Braga, the striker has scored 32 goals in 97 appearances and has assisted 22 goals.
He is one of the top players in the Russian league. The 28-year-old played a vital role in helping Spartak win the Russian Premier League and the Russian Super Cup double in 2017. He has also made 20 appearances in European competitions, scoring five goals.
Capped 17 times by Cape Verde, Ze Luis is an excellent finisher in the box. His explosive pace and acceleration make him a nightmare to mark for defenders. He is also excellent in the air, with his leap giving him an advantage over defenders.
The 28-year-old can also thread a good through ball as well as providing a key pass in the final third. This reflects in the 22 assists he has provided since joining the Russian side.
Ze Luis can operate anywhere across the forward line. The striker has scored 11 goals in 24 games for Spartak this season. He has averaged a goal every 140 minutes on the pitch in the Russian League, having already registered three goals so far in Europe this term.
The talented player would provide goals and combativeness in equal measure to this Leeds side. He is capable of leading the attack or cutting in from the flanks to help create goals. A fiery character, he’d easily become a favourite with Leeds fans who have previously taken to the likes of Pontus Jansson and Samu Saiz for their heart-on-the-sleeve performances.
Ze Luis is just another example of that. With five yellow cards to his name this season, he is clearly someone who will not shy away from getting involved when the going gets tough. All in all, he would be an unbelievable signing for Leeds.
