If Rodrigo de Paul tuned into that 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, it’s safe to assume his disappointment at missing out on a summer move to Leeds United may have eased a little.
Two months ago the Argentine international went public over his desire to seal a summer move to Elland Road.
But with Udinese refusing to drop their demands below £35 million, Leeds wasted no time in scouring the market for more affordable alternatives (Mirror).
Raphinha, one of the few bright sparks during that miserable afternoon at Selhurst Park, proved to be available for about half of De Paul’s asking price.
“(De Paul) was one player we analysed but, in the end, the valuation of his club was at a level that was difficult for Leeds to reach as a newly promoted club,” Leeds director of football Victor Orta told the Yorkshire Post.
Juventus may have been hit hard by football’s financial crisis but the Serie A champions are hardly living ‘hand to mouth’.
And, according to Calciomercato, Juve could rush in where Leeds feared to tread by paying the fee Udinese want for the electrifying De Paul – the most exciting attacker to represent the club since a young Alexis Sanchez.
Andrea Pirlo’s side have looked blunt in attack so far this season, scoring more than one goal in only two of the five matches the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo has missed in 2020/21.
But De Paul, author of seven goals and seven assists last term, could solve that problem.
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