Report: Leeds United keen on signing Colombian attacker Santiago Moreno
Leeds United are reportedly keen on signing promising Colombian attacker Santiago Moreno in the summer.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Sadio Mane-esque attacker is on the radar of the Whites, but is also being looked at by Rangers and Southampton.
Thus far, Rangers could hold the upper hand as they could offer the player Champions League football, but if he is to play in the Premier League, Leeds would be the ideal destination for him.
A right-winger by trade, Moreno has recently operated on the left and also down the middle as a lone striker.
Last week, he started on the right in America de Cali’s 3-1 loss against Atletico Mineiro but moved to the left as the game progressed and was rewarded with a goal for his efforts.
Here is his heat map from the game – similar to what it has been throughout the course of his fledgling professional career.
As evident from the graphic above, he also offers legs when the team is out of possession and at 21, still does not have a fixed way of playing football.
He could be moulded into a promising attacker by Marcelo Bielsa should he opt to sign for Leeds.
The 21-year-old won’t walk into the first team but would certainly be given minutes off the bench along with appearances for the U23s.
Bargain at £2.5m
Moreno’s side America de Cali are demanding only £2.5m for his services, making him a low-risk signing. Even if it doesn’t work out, the club would not mull over it for long as all the evidence suggests that he’s ready to take the next step.
This season he’s bagged four goals and as many assists in 17 games – guiding his side to a respectable fourth place in the table.
In a recent interview with Futbolete, Tulio Gomez, a major shareholder at America de Cali said, “I received an offer for Santiago Moreno. He is worth about €3m.”
He would offer stiff competition to Jack Harrison on the left and Helder Costa if he is at the club next season.
Signing a player at this rate is something we would’ve done in the Championship – in comparison to the players we signed last summer, but it would be foolish if we pass up on this opportunity as his value could increase tenfold in a couple of seasons.
In other Leeds United news, Report: Whites handed major transfer blow ahead of summer window