Leeds United’s new scout has a history of impressive signings.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk resigned recently
Despite missing out on the play-offs in heart-wrenching fashion, winning one of their last eight Championship games, Leeds United still made huge strides forward under Garry Monk in 2016/17.
Therefore, his sudden resignation a fortnight ago means the doom and gloom is at risk of setting in once again amongst a fanbase that is far too familiar with false dawns and disappointment. Yet, the changes behind the scenes in new owner Andrea Radrizzani’s first few weeks in charge suggest the future could be bright at Elland Road – even without the popular coach.
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, respected Sevilla scout Dani Salas could be swapping Champions League in Andalucía for Championship in Yorkshire to head up a new recruitment system under Radrizzani.
Leeds United fans should be excited
He will join compatriots Victor Orta, the club’s new Director of Football, and Ivan Bravo, the recently appointed board member who is a major player in the infamous Aspire Academy in Qatar.
And Salas promises to give Leeds access to a whole new transfer market.
Under the radar
Sevilla were renowned for their inspired recruitment, replacing departing star players with under-the-radar gems. And while most of the credit went to esteemed sporting director Monchi, Salas was also responsible for bringing in a number of superb bargains.
And Leeds could benefit from his nous with the likes of Gabriel Mercado, Ganso and Daniel Carrico, a former Reading flop, arriving at the club thanks to Salas’ knowledge of the Portuguese and South American markets.
Sevilla’s Daniel Carrico won three successive Europa League titles
However, if there’s one player who best sums up his Magpie-esque abiliy to spot a diamond in the rough, it’s Diego Perotti. Moving to Spain as a teenager from Deportivo Moron in his homeland of Argentina, the fleet-footed winger impressed in the reserves before storming into the Sevilla first-team in 2009.
Eight years on, via a brief spell in Genoa, Perotti is currently one of the star players in an AS Roma team who have just record the greatest points tally in their Serie A history.
Perotti and Edin Dzeko have an excellent relationship at Roma
And it was Salas’ ability to identify young talents which set the 28-year-old on route to becoming one of Italy’s most dangerous, all-round attackers. Leeds will be hoping such potential will arrive at Elland Road on his watch.
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