MOT View: Di Marzio hands Leeds transfer blow with major update on wanted midfielder
Leeds United clearly need to reinforce their midfield if they are to continue their rise in the Premier League past this season.
The Whites have been strongly linked with Fiorentina midfielder Erick Pulgar this month, as they look for competition behind Mateusz Klich.
La Nazione even reported that Marcelo Bielsa recommended the Chilean international to the Elland Road hierarchy in an attempt to seal his signature.
That has all changed.
Respected journalist, Gianluca Di Marzio has shared a major update this week, claiming that Fiorentina have no interest in selling Pulgar.
On top of that, he also reported that Italian clubs such as Cagliari have already made enquiries to sign the 26-year-old.
“Cagliari have already made an inquiry with Fiorentina for Erick Pulgar, however, the Viola have no intention of selling the Chilean as of yet,” he wrote on his website.
This is strange.
Pulgar hasn’t exactly been featuring regularly for the Viola, and his last start came more than a month ago in Serie A against Genoa.
Since then, the midfielder has had to settle for three substitute appearances, and surely he would jump at the chance to make the move to Elland Road.
The 26-year-old appears to have the perfect balance between attack and defence, meaning he could play that role inbetween Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo if needed.
Looking at his heatmap, Pulgar occupies the spaces between both boxes superbly and could have been a smart addition for the Whites.
Based on this latest Di Marzio update though, it appears as though Leeds and Bielsa stand no chance of bringing the Chilean to West Yorkshire.
In other Leeds United news, Marcelo Bielsa makes COVID-19 admission before Crawley
Be sure to follow MOT Leeds News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Whites and more exclusive content with Paul Robinson