Leeds United can still sign a host of free agents to improve Jesse Marsch’s side, including a former Andrea Radrizzani target in Edinson Cavani after his release by Manchester United.
Edinson Cavani tops five free agents Jesse Marsch can still sign at Leeds United
Edinson Cavani still tops a list of free agents Jesse March can sign at Leeds United over the final weeks of the summer sales. Manchester United released the Uruguay star at the end of his contract in June. But the striker is so far yet to put pen to paper on a deal elsewhere.
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The 35-year-old left Old Trafford following two seasons at the Red Devils, in which Cavani hit 19 goals and seven assists from 59 appearances. He could now move to Elland Road to give Marsch another attacking piece beside Patrick Bamford and the Whites’ young stars.
Bamford is the West Yorkshire side’s main goal threat, but endured a frustrating term with injuries last season. Any prolonged absence would leave Marsch relying on 20-year-old Joe Gelhardt, 20-year-old Sam Greenwood or Rodrigo, who fares best whilst playing deeper.
Marsch has explored adding another attacking piece to his arsenal in the summer market, but his pursuits have been unsuccessful. Arnaud Kalimuendo was a target Leeds director of football Victor Orta bid for, with 90min reporting a £20m move from Paris Saint-Germain.
Yet the 20-year-old rejected the chance to play in the Premier League at Elland Road, per 90min. Kalimuendo considered Leeds’ offer, but instead favoured a €25m (£21m) switch to Stade Rennais. The France U21 striker has agreed to a five-year contract at Roazhon Park.
Leeds United can sign free agent Edinson Cavani to strengthen strike force
Leeds can still sign Cavani as a free agent to improve Marsch’s strike force, and add a very experienced striker to the Elland Road dressing room for Gelhardt and Greenwood to learn from. The forward has 133 caps for Uruguay and will not retire before the 2022 World Cup.
He also won six Ligue 1 titles and Coupe de France five times over his time with Paris Saint-Germain. Cavani additionally lifted a Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2012, and his efforts at the Azzurri and Parisiens saw Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani consider a free transfer in 2020.
“In addition to his quality, Cavani could contribute with his physicality and adapt here. But I’ve never talked about him with the coach [Marcelo Bielsa],” Radrizzani said, via quotes by Leeds Live, on the back of Leeds securing their promotion to the Premier League that year.
“Having said that, we’ve certainly thought about him and we’ll see, given he’s still available on a free transfer.”
As the situation is the same for Cavani this year, Radrizzani can revive his interest and sign the free agent for Leeds. Reports by Marca noted Villarreal made a push to take him to La Liga in July. But Unai Emery could not realise his ambitions as they first had to make sales.
More recent reports by Marca also note Cavani is one step away from returning to South America with Boca Juniors. The move would be on an 18-month contract, with the forward determined to go to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup later this year in peak physical health.
Leeds United were in frame for Real Madrid icon Marcelo in 2021
Leeds were in the frame to sign Real Madrid icon Marcelo last year, and can now revisit the Brazilian as a free agent. The Mirror reported that the left-back’s agent was looking for potential new clubs as Los Blancos decided to sell and Marcelo wanted to go to England.
Everton were another Premier League side the Galacticos legend’s representative spoke to over a £5m transfer. In the end, Marcelo stayed at the Santiago Bernabeu and saw out his contract after a trophy-laden 15-years after moving to the club from Fluminense in 2007.
Marcelo enjoyed 546 appearances in all competitions, whilst winning La Liga six times, five Champions League titles, two Copa del Reys and four Fifa Club World Cup titles. Yet the 58-cap international is now struggling to find a new destination as a 34-year-old free agent.
Reports by Marca claim Marcelo left Real Madrid as the club’s most decorated star of all-time with the aim of continuing to play at a high level. But he has not agreed to moves to Real Valladolid to stay in Spain, a deal in Turkey with Fenerbahce or return to Fluminense.
Jesse Marsch can strengthen his attack with the dynamic Keita Balde
Marsch could strengthen his attack with a versatile, and still relatively young, free agent in 27-year-old Keita Balde. The 40-cap Senegal star hit the market in June after a year at Serie A side Cagliari. He hit three goals and two assists, but only started 14 of 26 league outings.
Balde will hope this summer sees him find a longer-term home, having bounced around in recent seasons. After leaving Lazio for Monaco in 2017, the striker – who can play as a left or right-forward – had loan moves with Inter Milan and Sampdoria before joining Cagliari.
Fenerbahce are now considering a move to sign Balde as a free agent, per Fanatik, having in recent days added him to their shortlist. Sukru Saracoglu Stadium chiefs are monitoring the former Barcelona gem’s situation in case head coach Jorge Jesus needs late additions.
Jason Denayer can offer Jesse Marsch extra defensive support as a free agent
Jason Denayer can offer Marsch extra defensive support after the 35-cap Belgian left Lyon as a free agent in June. The 27-year-old spent four seasons at the Ligue 1 club, over which he made 137 outings. But the centre-back fell out of favour during the 2021/22 campaign.
Now, his agent is continuing to drum up interest in a late window deal for the 6ft enforcer, who can play at right-back and as a holding midfield. FC Inter News claim Denayer’s agent recently offered the defender to Inter Milan, who considered his demands to be excessive.
The Serie A giants are reluctant to pay Denayer his request for a €3m-a-season (£49k-a/w) net salary over a four-year contract. His agent will also seek commission for brokering the switch, after interest earlier this summer in England, Spain and Turkey, per Foot Mercato.
Cristian Tello now seeking a new challenge after five seasons with Real Betis
Cristian Tello is now seeking a new challenge after spending the past five seasons with Real Betis, per Mundo Deportivo. The 31-year-old moved to the Estadio Benito Villamarin from Barcelona in 2017, and hit 24 goals and 20 assists over 172 games across all competitions.
The one-cap Spain international’s agent, Josep Maria Orobitg, has spoken with Olympiacos over a possible move to Greece in August. Discussions are nearing an advanced stage, too, as the Karaiskakis Stadium natives look to improve Carlos Corberan’s first squad in charge.
Tello has attracted alternative interest earlier in the window, with Estadio Deportivo citing several important La Liga proposals. But the forward’s economic demands priced Valencia, Real Sociedad, Espanyol and Osasuna out, having requested €2m-a-year (£32.5k-a/w) net.
Most Spanish teams cannot afford wages in that region, making a move away from La Liga very likely. Al-Shaba explored taking Tello over to Saudi Arabia, while Monza are an option in Serie A as the team owned by Silvio Berlusconi challenge their first-ever top-flight term.
Leeds could look to rival Al-Shaba, Monza and their former youth manager, Corberan, with Marsch making his own bid to sign Tello as one of the free agents still left on the market.
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