Premier League giants Leeds United are favourites to sign Javi Galan despite interest from Sevilla and Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Now, a new left-back isn’t exactly Atletico’s number-one priority heading into the final two months of the summer transfer window.
But, should the opportunity arrive, the newly crowned La Liga champions wouldn’t be against the idea of bringing in someone capable of rivalling Brazil international Renan Lodi and the ever-improving Yannick Carrasco in Simeone’s squad.
Galan, too, may be a risk worth taking, especially when you consider he’s available for as little as £3.5 million after Huesca’s return to the Segunda.
MD reports Atletico have made an enquiry, although they aren’t alone.
Sevilla are interested too, although the clear front runners are a club that, while incapable of offering Champions League football next season, do have one heck of a leveller on their side – the mercurial managerial genius that is Marcelo Bielsa.
Who doesn’t want to play under a manager who 1) gives you freedom to express yourself in attack and 2) boasts a remarkable track record when it comes to taking players to a whole new level?
Javi Galan on Leeds’ radar as Alioski replacement
26-year-old Galan, attack-minded and versatile enough to play as a wing-back or in a back four, would replace contract-rebel cult hero Gjanni Alioski at Elland Road.
He would come cheaper than the likes of Alex Moreno, Nicolas Tagliafico and Maxwel Cornet too, who have all been linked with a Leeds side in the market for a new left-sided defender.
With long-standing target Rodrigo De Paul seemingly on his way to the Wanda Metropolitano – the Udinese captain will complete his £31 million move to Atletico after the Copa America – Leeds can at least take some measure of revenge by nabbing Galan from under Simeone’s nose.
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