Fabrizio Romano delivers huge transfer blow to Leeds United fans
He's the player that every Leeds United fans wants the club to sign but it looks like the long-running Rodrigo De Paul saga is set to be over pretty soon.
Fabrizio Romano has delivered a huge stake to the heart of Leeds fans with the news that Atletico Madrid have opened talks to sign the Udinese midfielder.
They're offering €20m and players while Udinese are holding out for €40m.
He said that "many other clubs" are in the race too.
However, before Leeds fans get excited, Victor Orta was asked about signing De Paul and said this week that while Leeds have ambition, they need to exercise caution in the transfer market with both fees and wages.
To be fair, we had sort of given up on this transfer ever happening for Leeds and it's better that we're put out of our misery.
It seems that De Paul will be moving this summer, just not to Elland Road.
Our big chance was last summer and while the valuation was toppy, he's had such a good season that we think he would have been worth it.
The fact that a club as big as Atletico want him is yet more proof that he's an elite-level player.
It's not to say that Leeds did bad in the transfer window. Raphinha is looking like a real steal at £17m and that's more the level that Leeds will be looking at.
De Paul is the one that is going to get away.
In other Leeds United news, View: Leeds fans will erupt if Orta lands 'unstoppable' mid at 'liquidation' price; bid going in