Genoa defender Aleandro Rosi is a shock target for Leeds – but Championship rivals Sheffield United need the Serie A ace arguably even more.
Leeds United’s links with Genoa right-back Aleandro Rosi emerged out of nowhere.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, the West Yorkshire giants are mulling over a shock move for the 30-year-old Serie A star ahead of the January transfer window.
An attack-minded full-back, Rosi is out of contract at the end of this season and could provide some much needed competition for Luke Ayling, with the former Bristol City defender’s form dipping in recent months.
But Leeds will face competition from a local rival. Which one, however, remains to be seen. Because the report states that one of the two Sheffield clubs are interested in Rosi – though it would be little surprise to learn that it is United, rather than Wednesday, who are after the experienced Italian.
After all, a new right-back appears to be one of Blades boss Chris Wilder’s top priorities. And it seems that a deal to bring in Southend United’s Ryan Leonard is no closer to completion, The Echo claiming that The Shrimpers have recently rejected a fourth bid worth around £700,000 for their reigning Player of the Year.
So it makes sense for Sheffield United to turn their attentions to Rosi – particularly with Kieron Freeman’s injury leaving the promotion chasers light of options at right-back.
Rosi is an adventurous full-back who could fit in perfectly with Wilder’s preferred 3-5-2 system – which would perhaps prove a better fit than the four-man defence used by Leeds United, relying less on natural width.
So we could be about to witness a cross-county battle in January if Yorkshire rivals Leeds and Sheffield United go head-to-head.
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