Leeds ready ‘daring raid’ to sign Essugo as loan-to-buy news emerges
Leeds United are eyeing a move for Dario Essugo ahead of the January transfer window, according to The Sun on Sunday.
The newspaper reported via their print edition on Sunday (15 December, page 53) that the Whites, who are keeping tabs on different profiles ahead of January, are planning a “daring raid” for the 19-year-old after making an attempt to sign him last summer.
Essugo is currently on loan at Las Palmas from Sporting CP, but the Elland Road outfit are ready to offer a loan-to-buy agreement to lure him to West Yorkshire.
Leeds plot Dario Essugo raid as latest transfer news drops
Primarily a defensive midfielder, Essugo rose through the ranks at Sporting before making his senior debut for them in a Primeira Liga clash with Vitoria de Guimaraes in March 2021, thus becoming their youngest-ever debutant.
Interestingly, Leeds are not short of options in defensive midfield, with Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Ao Tanaka, Joe Rothwell and Josuha Guilavogui all at the club.
However, it is unclear if Guilavogui’s contract will be extended beyond the summer and Ampadu and Gruev suffered long-term injuries earlier this season.
Tanaka has been mooted for a transfer to the Premier League amid his spectacular form in the Championship and Essugo could help the Whites avoid being short of options in that area.
The teenager has since made 25 first-team appearances for the Lisbon giants, while also earning seven caps for the Portugal Under-21s.
He has been a regular for Las Palmas since joining them on a season-long loan in August, making 10 La Liga appearances and netting once.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been ripped to shreds after what has happened to Junior Firpo at Elland Road.
For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.