Leeds United face a summer battle with Real Madrid as Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul emerges as a summer target for the La Liga champions, as reported by Defensa Central.
With funds tight at the Bernabeu, Los Blancos are under pressure to find a top-quality central midfielder – one capable of providing competition for Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro – while operating on a vastly reduced budget.
So who better than De Paul?
Tenacious and technically gifted in equal measure, the Argentina international could be three signings rolled into one.
De Paul has blossomed into one of Serie A’s most effective attacking midfielders at Udinese. But he’s equally comfortable in a more defensive role – earning the admiration of Lionel Messi thanks to his never-ending work rate.
De Paul also played as a winger during his previous spell in La Liga at Valencia. One of the most adaptable players around, he would certainly give Zinedine Zidane plenty of options in a range of positions.
Not bad for £25 million.
According to DC, De Paul’s affordable price tag hasn’t gone unnoticed at Real Madrid at a time when they’re being forced to cut costs during football’s financial crisis.
President Florentino Perez is also investing more than £600 million in renovating the iconic Santiago Bernabeu. That’s why Real have been plying their trade at the club’s Valdebebas training ground since last summer.
According to The Sun, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are weighing up a summer swoop of their own for De Paul. And, if that infamous, one-word tweet is anything to go by, the 26-year-old would be sorely tempted by a potential move to Elland Road.
But would De Paul prefer to be Real’s multifaceted utility man or Leeds’ very own galactico?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
