Journalist claims Leeds could target striker who was on Barcelona’s recent ‘radar’
Should Leeds United finally earn promotion to the Premier League, the clear question will be whether or not the Whites need to strengthen.
Marcelo Bielsa has achieved this success with few permanent moves, but many would suggest that the top-flight would require more fresh faces.
Luiz Avila of Osasuna has been suggested by Leeds Live and the forward has been targeted by Barcelona for his nine goals in La Liga.
Journalist Nestor Watach has claimed that the Whites could target the forward, who has caught the eye of many this season.
“Luis Ezequiel “Chimy” Ávila has enjoyed a brilliant, breakthrough campaign with La Liga underdogs Osasuna this season,” he wrote.
“His early-season performances even prompted reports he was on Barcelona’s radar. Now on the road to recovery, the stocky and energetic Argentinian would be well-suited to a Marcelo Bielsa side due to his dedication and willingness to press.
“It might be fanciful for Leeds to get him given the interest, and his reported release clause of £21.8million is pushing the boundaries of ‘cheap’, but as a fellow Rosario native the Bielsa factor could come into play.”
Comparing Avila to Patrick Bamford, you can definitely see the similarities. It would be hard to spend more than £20million on a player who hasn’t delivered more than the Whites forward.
Avila has been involved in two fewer goals, but does average more shots and key passes per game according to WhoScored, but not by much.
Bamford does look after the ball better though, and is dispossessed fewer times and takes better control than the Argentine. On top of that, the 26-year-old is dribbled past less and makes more clearances – critical to Bielsa’s system.
A new forward may definitely be on the shortlist over the summer, but whether it is Avila, Barcelona interest or not, remains to be seen.
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