YEP journalist answers when asked if Leeds will try to sign Rodrigo De Paul again in Jan
Leeds United are unlikely to revive their interest in Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul in January, according to Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.
De Paul, 27, was strongly linked with a move to Elland Road in the last transfer window but it was widely reported that Leeds failed to firm up their interest in the Argentina international due to Udinese’s valuation.
Sky Sports Italy journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on September 9 that the Serie A club wanted £36.8million (€40million) for De Paul.
Leeds pressed on with trying to sign Michael Cuisance from Bayern Munich to fulfil their hunger for a new central midfielder but after the Frenchman failed a medical, Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta went after winger Raphinha instead.
As Leeds may still want a new central midfielder, a question has been raised about De Paul potentially re-emerging on the Whites’ radar for January.
When asked in a Q&A on the Yorkshire Evening Post website whether Leeds will go back in for De Paul in the winter, Smyth wrote: “Whether or not Leeds will need someone will depend on what happens to this squad, in terms of injuries. I wouldn’t predict a signing splurge, nothing like it in fact.
“De Paul was, in the summer, a player with a price tag that was simply too rich. Unless something changes dramatically in terms of the value his club places on him, I can’t see it in January.”
In another question about the January transfer window, Smyth said: “Victor Orta has gone on record many times with his dislike for the January market, simply because your options are so restricted.
“Marcelo Bielsa isn’t a fan of the January market because by the time a new signing, who you’d presume in most cases was not playing regularly at his previous club, gets up to speed, the season is all but over.
“Circumstances change and Leeds might have to react in January if there are problems with player availability but I never feel like much January business is likely at Leeds.”
Based on Leeds’ encouraging start to the season, you wouldn’t think they’d need to spend big money on anyone in January.
Of course, a lot can happen over the next two months and Bielsa may tell the club to sign a player like De Paul if they can afford it.
That happened last January when Eddie Nketiah returned to Arsenal and the Whites needed a new centre-forward.
But, as everyone will remember, the club landed on the unfit and unready Jean-Kevin Augustin, who played just three times before returning to RB Leipzig.
Bielsa doesn’t like signing outfield players in January but we could see the club go after younger players who can slot into the Under-23s with the view of them featuring in the first-team next season.
If deals are going to happen in January, expect them to be more Ian Poveda than Augustin.