‘Sounds like this could actually be happening’ – Many Leeds fans excited by reported striker bid

Sun 16 August 2020 12:10, UK

Leeds United fans are excited by the prospect of signing Basel striker Arthur Cabral after a bid was reportedly tabled for the Brazilian.

According to Brazilian news outlet Globo Esporte, Marcelo Bielsa has requested the signing of 22-year-old Arthur and Leeds have offered £16.2million for his services, with £2.7million of that being performance-based bonuses.

It is understood that Arthur is interested in playing in the Premier League but Basel are asking for £18million for him as it stands.

Arthur scored 18 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions for Basel last season, helping them finish third in the Swiss Super League and reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Leeds only have one out-and-out striker in their senior squad at the moment in Patrick Bamford so Bielsa is bound to want to strengthen that area before the Premier League season kicks off next month.

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And it seems that supporters are backing his idea to land Arthur to add to his striker options.

Here is a selection of their tweets:

https://twitter.com/carajo_bielsa/status/1294771109758488578

Having seen the highlights reel of Arthur Cabral I’ve decided we should definitely sign him because then we may finally have someone who can score from corners… #lufc
— Tom (@TomLambert7) August 16, 2020

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https://twitter.com/Tonylufc28/status/1294758216509853698

Not just that but look at the style of the goals. Back-heals, overhead bicycle kicks & lobbing the keeper. South American stylish football and the finishing we’ve needed for ages. Arthur Cabral come on over to #lufc
— Lowfields Road 🏆 (@road_lowfields) August 15, 2020

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Very good header of the ball something we need.
— steven davison (@sdavo07) August 15, 2020

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https://twitter.com/marks1014/status/1294900746295681024

"Brazilian striker" always sounds good, doesn't it? Even if Brazil aren't the totally dominant force they used to be. https://t.co/xolu6UWRvX
— The Scratching Shed 🏆 (@TSSLUFC) August 15, 2020

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The 4.8 million followers would suggest this might have legs 👀
I’ve also now watched a 3 minute video and there’s is no doubt in my mind that Arthur Cabral is going to score 40 goals for us this season 👍🏽 #lufc #mot https://t.co/Xf8ImN5sLw
— Lewy Pearce 🏆 (@LewyPearce) August 15, 2020

View Tweet

When Cabral signed for Basel last summer, the Swiss giants confirmed that they had signed the centre-forward on loan from Brazilian club Palmeiras.

Since then, L’Equipe has reported that his loan deal was automatically made permanent for £4million after he scored his 12th goal of the season.

It seems a lot to pay over £16million for someone who has recently moved for £4million but that is what happens when you’re a Premier League club.

Clubs are going to try and rip Leeds off this summer after they won promotion.

It’s not something that’s happened at Elland Road for a long time and we hope that Andrea Radrizzani and Victor Orta go about their spending sensibly, especially with the country in a recession and football’s economy not in the best of states.

In other Leeds United news, there’s been an update on the Ben White saga.