Al-Nassr launch firm Abel Ferreira bid as Leeds United wait in wings for Portuguese manager
Leeds United are yet to make a firm offer to Abel Ferreira as they line up potential replacements for Marcelo Bielsa, according to Brenno Beretta.
Writing via his personal Twitter profile on Thursday morning (2 December), the Brazilian journalist claims only mega-rich Saudi club Al-Nassr, whose chairman is Sheikh Ahmed bin Aaeed Al Maktoum, have made a firm offer for the Palmeiras boss.
“Abel Ferreira has many polls on football from abroad, but a concrete proposal, so far, was only from Al-Nassr,” Beretta wrote. “Leeds has him on a list of possible replacements for Bielsa, who has a contract until June 2022. Abel must define his future on vacation.”
January call on the cards
Bielsa may opt to leave it late again to decide on his future, but Ferreira doesn’t have the luxury of months before he is due to start managing Palmeiras again.
He is currently en route to his native Portugal to take a holiday after leading Palmeiras to the Copa Libertadores title, their second in-a-row.
But he faces a big call as to whether to stay in Brazil or move elsewhere.
Ferreira has experience of managing in Europe with Braga and PAOK, but he is yet to test himself in England.
Leeds would be taking a risk in hiring Ferreira as he is still fairly young and inexperienced in management, but aren’t all hires a risk?
All one can do is minimise that risk, and Victor Orta and other Leeds chiefs will have done their due diligence on him.
This is all immaterial if Bielsa decides to stay, however, as the Argentine could stay on past this season.
But the wheels have to be set in motion in case he does exit Elland Road, which feels more likely than ever.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites want to sign this ‘Special’ 22y/o Argentine who is perfect for Bielsa and can play at left-back.