Leeds United have already tied up two big first-team signings in Robin Koch and Rodrigo Moreno, but they’re still in the market for more.
Given Pablo Hernandez’s advancing years, Leeds appear to be in the market for a new creative force to play in the Premier League.
The main name suggested is Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul, though it won’t be easy to land him given rival interest in him.
The story started in The Telegraph, before Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano both claimed that talks were ongoing over a €35million (£31.75milion) deal.
There doesn’t appear to have been much progress so far, though Leeds fans may be encouraged by the news emerging from Udinese last night.
On Tuesday evening, Udinese confirmed the arrival of free agent playmaker Fernando Forestieri seven years since they sold him to Watford.
Fantacalcio claim that Forestieri’s arrival means De Paul’s exit is ‘practically confirmed’, and he is now destined to join Leeds.
The two players operate primarily as number 10’s, so it’s easy to see why some may think Forestieri’s arrival means De Paul is on the move.
Forestieri has something of a history with Leeds; the Whites wanted to sign him in 2015, but Massimo Cellino ended up criticising his mentality as a deal was scrapped.
Forestieri would then be a nuisance to Leeds at Sheffield Wednesday, particularly drawing ire from Leeds fans when the two sides met in September 2018, with supporters frustrated with his antics.
The 30-year-old got himself back in the good books in March 2019 as he posted photos alongside Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa – and if his move to Italy helps Leeds sign De Paul, fans may just love Forestieri after all.
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