Bielsa asks Leeds hierarchy to sign key target who’d favour switch to Elland Road – report
Marcelo Bielsa has asked the Leeds United hierarchy to sign River Plate right-back Gonzalo Montiel, according to 90min.
The football news website claims that Montiel, 23, is valued at £15million and is wanted by clubs across Europe. West Ham, Schalke, AC Milan, Spartak Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart and Sevilla are all said to be keen.
It is understood that Leeds might struggle to match the wages that some of those clubs can offer Montiel but 90min adds that the Argentina international would be in favour of a switch to Elland Road so he can play for Bielsa.
Montiel is said to be a “key target” of Bielsa’s and that the Argentine manager has tracked the right-back “heavily”.
Bielsa’s reputation in Argentina is huge, which explains why so many South American players have been linked with moves to Elland Road since the Whites won automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Montiel’s reputation in Argentina is also growing, with him earning his first four senior international caps in the last year and 90min reporting that he’s been compared to Manchester City hero Pablo Zabaleta.
Montiel is also a Copa Libertadores winner with River Plate, which is arguably the biggest achievement a player can win in South American football.
While Montiel seems to be an impressive young right-back, the big question here is: Do Leeds need a new right-back?
Luke Ayling’s had his best season in a Leeds shirt and Bielsa has Stuart Dallas and Jamie Shackleton who can provide back-up in that position.
Sure, it would not hurt to add more quality in that position but Montiel’s big £15million valuation might be too much for Leeds as they’re unlikely to splash the cash too much due to the financial situation in football due to the coronavirus pandemic and Bielsa’s tendency to stick with the players he already has.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites will be blocked from signing this Premier League defender on loan.