Adrian Balboa, a prodigious young striker based in Barcelona, has been linked with Leeds United. Cue the Rocky references.
After a Rocky end to the season, Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Norwich City delivering the knockout blow to their play-off hopes, it makes sense to plan for next season as early as possible.
And Sport report that Leeds United are ready to make a few early jabs in the transfer market with a move for Adrian Balboa. And, yes, that is actually his name.
The striker is currently plying his trade within the youth ranks of Barcelona-based club U.D. Unificación Bellvitge and has reportedly outscored every other player in his age category.
Sport claims that Monk’s long-serving assistant Pep Clotet, who previously worked in the city as coach of Espanyol’s reserves, is spearheading the deal after being impressed by the youngster’s precocious talents.
And while Adrian is obviously a raw talent completely unproven at any level of senior football, it bodes well for Leeds that they appear to be planning ahead and identifying potential stars of the future.
Although if Leeds want to right the wrongs of this season, five months spent in the play-offs ruined by a run of four defeats in April alone, the club will need far more than an unknown striker plying his trade in the youth game.
Nonetheless, signing a striker is a step in the right direction. If 26-goal top scorer Chris Wood had a little more support from his teammates, perhaps Leeds would still be in the play-off positions with one game remaining this season.
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