£34m wonderkid would prefer to stay at current club than join Leeds

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Jesus Vazquez is determined to stay and fight for his place at La Liga giants Valencia despite interest from Leeds United in the Premier League, say Spanish publication El Desmarque. 

After playing 15 times in Spain’s top flight last term, this was supposed to be the season when Vazquez truly established himself at the Mestalla. Instead, the appointment of former Italy international and World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso has had the opposite effect.

The 19-year-old left-back has started just four matches under Gattuso. In fact, across the last 12 La Liga fixtures, Vazquez has been on the pitch for a grand total of 13 minutes.

But giving up is an alien concept to the Spain U19 international; El Desmarque insisting that Vazquez has no plans to accept defeat and go running off to another club. Not just yet, anyway.

Leeds United and Inter Milan like Valencia starlet Jesus Vazquez

Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United are watching closely. As are Serie A giants Inter Milan (Plaza Deportivo). 

But Vazquez, who only extended his contract until 2025 a year ago, remains determined to succeed on the Castellon coast, despite rising interest from elsewhere. Talks are likely to take place regarding his future in the New Year.

Vazquez, however, is not so patient that he will stay at a club where he’s not wanted. If Valencia make it clear to him that he’s not part of Gattuso’s plans, then the Extremadura-born whizzkid will go. 

But, as yet, there is no reason to believe that Vazquez cannot still become a regular part of Gattuso’s XI. Particularly with Jose Luis Gaya – Valencia’s first choice left-back – going down with an ankle injury recently.  

“Jesus Vazquez is part of the team,” says director Javier Solis. “The coach (Gattuso) has already said that he is very happy with him.”

Leeds are also reportedly targeting fellow left-backs Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) and Fabiano Parisi (Empoli). Borussia Dortmund’s Portugal international Raphael Guerreiro is another, more high-profile option (TEAMtalk). 

Some at Elland Road allegedly see Guerreiro as the ideal addition to Marsch’s paper-thin squad. The 28-year-old set-piece master will be a free-agent in the summer of 2023.

Dortmund still hope to tie Guerreiro down to a new contract. But if he does go, Leeds are likely to face competition from Premier League rivals West Ham United; David Moyes’ side seemingly in the market for an Aaron Cresswell replacement.