‘Next level signing’ – Phil Hay reacts as Leeds reportedly ready to move for £119k/wk attacker
Leeds United have been linked with a move for PSG attacker Julian Draxler and Athletic journalist Phil Hay has said he would be a “next level signing”.
Leeds have been linked with Draxler before but the latest update came from Gazzetta dello Sport this week (via TEAMtalk) and the report claims Leeds want to bring him to Elland Road in the summer.
Draxler is on a reported £119k-a-week with the French giants but would be available on a free transfer with his current deal running out in June.
He can talk to overseas clubs about a pre-contract this month.
Talking on the Athletic on Saturday Hay reacted to the news saying, “He’s a player a lot of clubs would take. I haven’t heard him mentioned as someone Leeds specifically want to engage in this window but given his contractual situation, he’ll have loads of interest.
“He’ll command a very big wage but minus a transfer fee, it becomes easier to factor that in as an overall package. He’d be a next level signing, that’s for sure. But would he want to find Champions League football?”
Next-level but possible
Draxler would be a next-level signing but we think that’s what Leeds fans can expect next summer.
Draxler’s wages are high but not completely out of the ballpark for Leeds. When you take into account the lack of a fee, it starts looking like a realistic proposition.
A three-year deal would cost Leeds less than £20m in wages and Draxler is worth way more than that if he was sold on the open market.
Would he want to come to Leeds? Like Hay said, he would surely be looking for Champions League football, but that’s where Leeds are aiming in the next few years.
And, in Bielsa, Leeds have a manager that players want to play for.
Draxler is 27 and could be exactly the sort of player who could propel Leeds into the top six of the Premier League.
It might be a longshot but we’d love to see it happen. And, as he’s out of contract in the summer, Draxler is free to talk to Leeds this month.
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