Stefano Antonelli has told TMW that Udinese would have sold Rodrigo De Paul to Leeds United in the summer transfer window.
The former Bari sporting director, who has worked with Udinese in the past and knows the Pozzo family, believes that had Leeds made the right offer, then the Premier League club would have been able to secure the services of the 26-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a winger.
The Daily Star reported on September 26 that Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa was keen on the Argentina international.
The Mirror reported last month that the Yorkshire club were refusing to meet Udinese’s asking price of £35 million for De Paul.
The Italian told TMW, as translated by Leeds Live: “I have been working there for 21 years with continuity and I know the Pozzo family, they have always been a selling club.
“If they had the right offer they would have sold him because they know cycles end. They know De Paul’s cycle is over, but an offer never arrived.”
Moving on
De Paul is a very good creative player, and he would have been a good addition to the current Leeds team.
According to WhoScored, the 26-year-old scored seven goals and provided six assists in Serie A last season, while back in 2018-19, he scored nine goals and provided eight assists in the league.
Perhaps Leeds could reignite their interest in the Argentine in the January transfer window, but until then, the Whites need to forget about him.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
