Brazil international Guilherme Arana has played down a potential move to Premier League outfit Leeds United, telling BH that he is ‘very happy’ with Atletico Mineiro.
As Leeds went down 3-0 to an out-of-sorts Everton at Goodison Park, it was difficult to escape the feeling that an end of an era may be approaching.
Marcelo Bielsa’s latest 12-month deal is just a few weeks away from expiring. Does a man who will turn 67 this summer have the energy for a fifth season at Elland Road?
Does he have the heart to break up a squad that has worked wonders for him and construct a new dynasty out of the wreckage of the old one?
Either way, this feels like a big summer for Leeds. Not just because they are facing up to the prospect with life after their most inspirational manager since Don Revie but also because investment and recruitment feels more important than ever.
This is a squad in need of added quality, not to mention quantity.
Who will Leeds United sign this summer?
A player like Guilherme Arana, a Brazil international full-back formerly of Sevilla and Atalanta, may be exactly what the doctor ordered. An eye-catching marquee signing but one young enough and hungry enough to fit into Leeds’ free-wheeling style of play.
TNT Sport reported in December that Leeds had offered £19 million for the swashbuckling 24-year-old.
“I am very happy here with the Atletico shirt,” Arana says when asked about his future. “It’s a club where I already feel at home. I already consider myself a Mineirinho.
“From the moment I arrived, I was very well received. I hope to keep bringing our fans a lot of joy, because they deserve it.
“As I said, I’m doing a good job here at the club dedicating myself to the fullest. Sometimes, I meet the president, who says that he is afraid that the (transfer offers) will arrive. I say I’m very happy here.
“If an offer arrived today, I would think twice (about accepting it).”
Clearly, luring Arana away from South America will be easier said than done.
According to Brazilian outlet Torcedores, Everton also sent scouts to watch Arana as Brazil won gold at the Tokyo Olympics last summer.
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