Leeds United target Nicolas Gonzalez wants to leave Stuttgart this summer but coach Pellegrino Matarazzo is still confident of keeping hold of his star striker, in quotes reported by Spox.
After firing one of the most historic clubs in German football back into the Bundesliga with 14 goals across 2019/20, an exciting Argentine international obviously feels the time is right to go out on a high.
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb in June, Gonzalez admitted that he had informed the Stuttgart chiefs of his desire to leave the Mercedes Benz Arena, two years after he arrived from Argentinos Juniors.
Leeds have been linked ever since securing a top flight return of their own.
According to TMW, Marcelo Bielsa is a big fan of an £18 million-rated forward who has been compared to Argentine legend Mario Kempes due to his lethal finishing and sudden burst of acceleration.
But while Gonzalez has made it clear that he wants a fresh start, Matarazzo is not ready to bid farewell just yet.
“I expect him to stay with us. I don’t pay attention to rumours. Right now, Nico is with us, and it’s important that we know everything. If anything changes, that’s how it’s going to be,” the New Jersey-born coach explains.
“I value Nico as a player, but also as a person, and I like to pass on my thoughts to him. I want to help him.”
Of course, there is more to this story than what Matarazzo deems to be ‘rumours’.
Gonzalez has publicly stated his desire to leave Stuttgart and such comments have not gone unnoticed, with Italian giants AC Milan, Napoli and Atalanta all circling.
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