Phil Hay claims Leeds in hunt for CB with £19.5m release clause as White deal ‘difficult’
Leeds United have two transfer lists but it looks like they’ll soon by ripping up the Championship one and looking to strengthen for the Premier League.
One position where they will need new bodies is at the heart of defence. Leeds are light there anyway and Ben White will be leaving when his loan expires at the end of the season.
Fans are still hoping that he will return but Atheltic journalist Phil Hay has said a deal is “difficult” and Leeds are busy lining up alternatives if the worst happens.
One of these is 24-year-old Argentina international Lucas Martínez Quarta.
Talking in a fan Q&A, Hay said that he is a player who Leeds are scouting, although he also said the focus was on domestic players.
One Leeds fan asked, “Any truth to the Martinez Quarta links Phil?”
Hay replied saying, “They are scouting players in Argentina and he’s one of them but it sounds like Leeds are looking a little more closely at domestic players.”
Quarta reportedly has a £19.5m release clause in his contract and only has a year left on his contract at River Plate.
However, that same report claims that Leeds might be able to get him at a reduced price because of the Coronavirus outbreak.
After breaking into the Argentina national side last year, this could be the prime time for a move.
And Quarta would be a perfect centre-back for Bielsa. Able to play on either side of the centre of defence, he’s a front-footed player who always looks to play from the back.
He’s only 5ft 11in but that’s hasn’t stopped him from winning almost 60% of his aerial duels in the 19/20 season. [WyScout]
His pass accuracy is 87% and his long-pass accuracy is almost 60%.
Ben White has a slightly higher pass accuracy rating on WyScout, but only has 47% for long passes.
The player has also been linked with a move to Man City, which shows the rare air that Leeds will be breathing if they go on to secure promotion.
If Quarta is considered good enough for City then he’s good enough for Leeds and the Bielsa-Argentina connection could work in our favour.
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