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Leeds United caught napping on Raphael Guerreiro transfer as Borussia Dortmund contract news emerges
Leeds United look like they have missed the boat with a transfer for Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro after news emerged of the left-back closing in on a new deal in Germany.
German publication Rurh Nachrichten has reported that the Portuguese international is closing in on signing a new contract which will keep him at the club for a further two years after his current deal expires this summer.
The Whites have previously been “keen” on a summer move for the attacking left-back on a free transfer [90min, 15 March], with several other Premier League clubs also interested in his services.
However, these plans have been halted, and it looks like Leeds have let another potential signing slip through their grasp.
Guerreiro has proven himself one of Europe’s most complete attacking full-backs over the last few years, having scored 38 goals and racked up an impressive 45 assists since 2016.
The 29-year-old also played a significant role in Portugal’s Euro 2016 winning campaign and has accumulated 61 caps for his country.
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On a free transfer, there didn’t look to be many better options available in the market right now who would have suited Leeds’ needs as well as Guerreiro does.
Javi Gracia’s side have desperately needed a left-back over the last 12 months, with Pascal Struijk often filling in on the left side of the defence and Max Wober taking up a central role since his transfer to the club despite previously playing as a full-back at Red Bull Salzburg.
And despite Junior Firpo impressing the Elland Road faithful in recent weeks and netting the winner in the 1-0 win over relegation rivals Southampton, a left-back will certainly still be on the club’s summer shopping list.
Unfortunately, though, Victor Orta has been caught napping and it seems as though his weakened position behind the scenes in the aftermath of Jesse March’s sacking could have let Dortmund get the jump on the West Yorkshire outfit.
Left-back has been a long-standing problem for the Whites for a long time, and it seems set to continue if Guerreiro puts pen to paper at the German club.
In other Leeds United news, long-planned contract negotiations have “not progressed” leaving Elland Road exit door open.
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