‘Hallelujah’ – Many Leeds fans rejoice at transfer update on reported Whites target
Leeds United are likely to need a new centre-back in the summer transfer window.
With Brighton already making plans hang on to Ben White next season, chances are that Marcelo Bielsa is going to have to strengthen at the heart of defence.
But one man who will not be arriving at Elland Road, according to the Mirror, is Daniel Ayala.
The 29-year-old is out of contract with current side Middlesbrough this summer, and is refusing to play for the club again this term.
Leeds had been touted as one potential destination for the Spaniard, but the Mirror have seemingly put pay to those rumours by reporting that the player’s agent approached the Whites to sound them out over a potential move, but was swiftly rejected.
And it’s fair to say that most Leeds fans are absolutely delighted.
Many have taken to social media to express their relief that they will not be seeing the Boro man line up at Elland Road next season – and it’s understandable as to why.
Ayala isn’t a bad player by any stretch, but if we’re looking to make the step up to the Premier League this summer, we need to bring in talents who can excel at that level.
According to Wyscout, he has won 8.7% fewer defensive duels than Liam Cooper this season, as well as winning 6.1% fewer aerial duels and 15.6% fewer 50/50s.
In short, he is nowhere near the level of consistency that we have come to expect from our defenders at Leeds, and certainly doesn’t represent an improvement.
The old adage goes that if you’re not moving forwards, you’re moving backwards, and that will very much apply to the Whites and their recruitment this summer.
If Bielsa isn’t bringing in talents who are going to improve our squad, what’s the point of bringing them in at all?
Ayala, unfortunately, falls into that category.
Here are some of the best tweets from supporters:
https://twitter.com/LeedsUnUnited/status/1275757786341806081?s=20
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