Leeds interest in Van Aanholt and Larouci hints at exit for Gjanni Alioksi
Gjanni Alioski could be heading for the exit door as Leeds United have reportedly lined-up possible replacements for the left-back.
The Mirror suggest Patrick Van Aanholt is a target this summer when his contract expires.
That depends on whether the 30-year-old wants to leave Crystal Palace, but Marcelo Bielsa is also interested in Liverpool full-back Yasser Larouci as a possible alternative.
He will leave Anfield at the end of the season, according to the same report, so Leeds could be poised to sign him.
The interest in the pair shows the club hierarchy is thinking long-term as well as planning for Alioski’s possible departure.
Alioski’s contract expires in the summer and he has cut a frustrated figure of late.
He has struggled for game time recently and though he did start against Chelsea for the first time in five matches, he had a game to forget.
Bielsa may be keen on an upgrade, therefore.
However, the decision may be taken out of the Argentine’s hands as Alioski has been heavily linked [Milliyet] to a move to Galatasary recently.
He may be keen to earn more than the £15,000 a week Spotrac claims we are paying him.
It would be a shame to see such a great character leave the squad but Van Aanholt and Larouci offer promise in different ways.
We may try and sign both, as Larouci offers future potential while Van Aanholt has considerable Premier League experience with 209 appearances.
The Palace left-back also excels going forward with 24 goals and 18 assists in his Premier League career, so would suit our style of play.
By bringing him in on a free we would also be able to use most of our transfer budget in other areas.
Providing competition for Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips would really improve the side so Van Aanholt has the potential to be a really astute addition.
In other Leeds United news, Graham Smyth reports that a key Whites star was in discomfort following the Chelsea clash.