Van La Parra joined Middlesbrough on loan from Huddersfield Town in January, but was also linked with Leeds.
Rajiv van La Parra joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season in the January transfer window despite being linked with Leeds United – but did he make the wrong decision?
The 27-year-old told Voetbal International that although he moved to Middlesbrough on loan, Leeds did make an approach to sign the Dutch star. He chose to move to the Riverside, though.
But the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star will now surely be regretting his decision to choose Boro and Tony Pulis over Leeds and Marcelo Bielsa.
That is because he has managed just 69 minutes of Championship football since joining the club at the start of January – that is almost two months on Teesside. He has been left on the bench for Middlesbrough’s last two league games.
The Sun claim Boro have signed van La Parra on a loan-to-buy deal, which sees the Championship play-off contenders have the option to land the winger for £5million.
Leeds were said to be offering a similar package with Marcelo Bielsa keen to bring in a new winger – the club’s move to sign Daniel James from Swansea City fell through in the final moments of the January window.
So, did van La Parra make the wrong decision? Certainly, Leeds need a winger and are lacking in depth out wide. Jack Clarke has been taken ill of late while Gjanni Alioski is being used on the left side of defence.
The Dutch ace would certainly get plenty of game time, then. Much more than the piddly 69 minutes of Championship action he has got so far, out of eight league fixtures.
Certainly, it seems van La Parra has made the wrong decision and could have been a hit with the Leeds fans had he chose Elland Road over the Riverside.
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