View: Leeds must regret not signing Rodrigo de Paul
It was the transfer saga of the summer for Leeds United fans.
Leeds were interested in Rodrigo de Paul. This was confirmed by Victor Orta himself. [Yorkshire Evening Post]
And Rodrigo de Paul was very interested in joining Leeds given his social media activity.
It didn’t happen and that it all came down to valuation, according to Orta who said: “[De Paul] was one player we analysed but, in the end, the valuation of his club was at a level that was difficult for Leeds to reach, as a newly promoted club.”
We think Leeds will be regretting not opening their wallet just that little bit wider.
De Paul has been on-fire in Serie A, with Goal now stating that he’s had an “extraordinary season so far”.
He’s been the only midfielder in Serie A to score and assist at least five goals each.
De Paul has done this at Udinese, a side mired in mid-table. Imagine what he could have done at Leeds.
He’s been involved in 37% of Udinese’s goals and Goal has said that de Paul is a “leader” who is perhaps the best midfielder in Europe at the moment.
Of Argentine players, Goal says: “Let’s start with the compatriots: only Lionel Messi (28, 21 goals and 7 assists) and Lautaro Martinez (19, 14 goals and 5 assists) have participated in more goals than Rodrigo de Paul (11, 6 goals and 5 assists).”
With Bielsa at the helm, we could do with an Argentine superstar on the pitch as well.
Leeds have struggled in midfield this season – certainly with Mateusz Klich, whose levels have dipped alarmingly from his dizzy heights in the Championship.
It’s an area that Athletic journalist Phil Hay thinks they will look to strengthen in the summer. [Phil Hay Show]
Could they go back in for de Paul? It’s possible but they might well find that the price they wouldn’t pay last summer has just gone up.
In other Leeds United news, MOT View: Game-changer – Bielsa must unleash exciting hotshot striker v Fulham if Bamford is out