Leeds in talks and ‘serious’ about move for £30k/wk international midfielder – report
Leeds United are ‘serious’ about a move for Chilean international midfielder Erick Pulgar, according to Italian newspaper La Nazione.
The report claims that talks are ‘intensifying’ between the two clubs and that a fee of £13.5m would satisfy Fiorentina, with the player also happy about a move to the Premier League.
For Fiorentina, it would represent a profit of almost £5m on a player they bought for £9m last summer.
No official offer has been tabled yet, according to La Nazione, but the report claims that Fiorentina are ready to talk to Pulgar about the move this week.
Pulgar or De Paul?
Is Pulgar a viable Rodrigo De Paul alternative? Certainly not for the majority of Leeds United fans, who are desperate for the Udinese midfielder to make the move this window.
Pulgar’s preferred position is central defensive midfielder but he played in a more advanced position last season and scored seven goals and added six assists in Serie A last season.
That’s the same as De Paul and, at 26-years-old, Pulgar is the same age too.
The Chilean is reportedly on £30k-a-week at Fiorentina, so wages shouldn’t be an issue, but he definitely plays in a deeper role than De Paul.
Compare the two heat maps of the players [WyScout]. This is Pulgar’s from the 19/20 season.
Below is De Paul’s from the 19/20 season.
De Paul made 4.35 dribbles per 90 minutes and 3.62 progressive runs. By contrast, Pulgar made 0.64 dribbles per 90 and 0.38 progressive runs. [WyScout]
If Leeds are looking for a versatile player who can play a number of roles and replace Pablo Hernandez when needed, Pulgar isn’t it. De Paul is still the player we want to see at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, Athletic journalist: Leeds table bid for player from PL rivals, dubbed ‘a leader’