Leeds should join Bersant Celina race amid £4m sale reports

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Leeds United should have a look at the Manchester City starlet amid reports that he may be on the move to the Championship.

While Marcelo Bielsa has publicly been a silent figure since his first press conference as Leeds boss ended, it would be probably be fair to assume that he will not feel that the transfer window has, thus far, gone to plan with just two signings through the door and neither brought in on a permanent basis.

After a narrow win over Forest Green, and draws with York City and Southend, it would appear that there is plenty of work to do before the squad are at the level that Bielsa would like. And perhaps part of that process is getting further signings in.

Bielsa appears to be one of the most well-respected coaches in the game, with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino both clearly holding a lot of admiration for the Argentinian.

The links with Guardiola looked set to benefit Leeds earlier in the summer, with The Sun suggesting that a number of Manchester City players may find themselves heading on loan to Elland Road. However, it appears that those links have since gone cold.

Nevertheless, Bielsa should use his relationship with Guardiola to see if he can scupper Swansea City’s reported move for one youngster that City are reportedly willing to sell permanently this summer.

According to a recent report from the Daily Mirror, the Swans are in talks with the Cityzens over a £4 million deal for Bersant Celina, the attacking midfielder who impressed while on loan at Ipswich Town last season.

The Kosovo international could perhaps prove to be an inspired signing for the Whites if they decided to make their move. For £4 million, he could prove to be a real steal – and would undoubtedly make up for the disappointment of Leeds reportedly missing out on Florian Jozefzoon to Derby County.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that Leeds were planning to meet the winger’s asking price before he chose to move to Pride Park. Bielsa may be annoyed with that, but signing Celina would be a superb response.

Both men scored seven goals in the Championship last season – one of Celina’s was a stunner against Leeds at Portman Road – while they have both played a decent number of games in the Eredivisie, with the 21-year-old scoring five goals and providing five assists in 27 appearances in the division during a loan spell with FC Twente – where he played alongside Mateusz Klich.

And of course, with Celina several years younger than the former Brentford ace, there is greater potential for the prospect to make his transfer fee this summer look like a major bargain.

Despite having players such as Samuel Saiz and Pablo Hernandez in the ranks, Leeds could still arguably do with having more creativity and quality in those attacking midfield areas.

Celina could provide that. And given that he is reportedly available for £4 million, Bielsa should be insisting that the Whites hierarchy look to do all they can to scupper Swansea’s hopes of a deal.