Leeds United have been linked with some audacious moves in the past, but perhaps none quite as incredible as a potential swoop for Diego Maradona.
As the January transfer window continues, HITC Sport has taken a look at some of the incredible transfer rumours that have seen players linked with a move to Leeds United…
GK: Jerzy Dudek
Jerzy Dudek
In 2011, Leeds United had made the questionable decision to sell Kasper Schmeichel to Leicester City. Andy Lonergan was eventually brought in as his replacement, but did the Whites want it to be the former Liverpool stopper Jerzy Dudek? The Yorkshire Evening Post suggests that Dudek – who was playing for Real Madrid at the team – was on Simon Grayson’s radar.
CB: Reece Wabara
According to the Bristol Post, Reece Wabara was closing in on moving to Leeds last summer following his release from Wigan Athletic at the end of last season. The deal did not happen, and Wabara remains a free agent. And given the form of Luke Ayling and the depth that the Whites boast in the position – he is traditionally a full-back – it is difficult to imagine Garry Monk now making a move for the former Manchester City trainee.
CB: Joel Ekstrand
Joel Ekstrand was seemingly on the verge of becoming the answer to Leeds’ centre-back issues during the summer, as he suggested to Helsingborg Dagblad that – despite his prolonged injury problems – the Whites had put a contract offer on the table after a medical.
“I was offered a contract after the medical examination,” he said.
The deal fell through and Ekstrand joined their Championship rivals Bristol City. And if it was injury concerns that ultimately put Leeds off a move, their decision to pull out has been vindicated with the defender making just two appearances for the Robins, predominantly due to injury.
CB: Liam Moore
Another player expected to perhaps fill the void at centre-back this term was Liam Moore, according to the Leicester Mercury. The promising defender was a Championship winner with Leicester City, but ended up joining Reading instead.
CM: Joey Barton
Burnley’s Joey Barton
Former Leeds manager Neil Redfearn claimed that he wanted to bring the controversial midfielder to Elland Road, and interestingly, he suggested that Barton was interested in a switch, according to the Yorkshire Post. Barton would deny expressing an interest and would go on to enjoy a stunning season with Burnley where he would inspire the Clarets to promotion. Redfearn, on the other hand, was no longer in charge by the time the summer window had really got going.
CM: Charlie Adam
Another player Redfearn claimed he wanted to sign was Stoke’s Charlie Adam (via Yorkshire Post). Though an established top flight player at that stage, he had been struggling for opportunities around that time, and had enjoyed a very successful spell in the second tier with Blackpool.
AM: Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
According to the Daily Star, Leeds tentatively enquired about trying to bring Diego Maradona to Yorkshire in 1987. It is not difficult to see why the magician decided to stay at Napoli. One year before, Maradona had inspired Argentina’s World Cup triumph while Leeds were only hovering around the top half of the second division.
RW: Matt Phillips
The third player that Redfearn identified was Matt Phillips, then of Queens Park Rangers (via Yorkshire Post). While the signing may not have necessarily excited the Elland Road faithful initially had they pulled it off, his current form for West Bromwich Albion – who he joined last summer – may leave Leeds fans wondering what may have been had they followed Redfearn’s advice. He has scored four and contributed eight assists for the Baggies.
LW: Anthony Knockaert
According to scout Christophe Demougeot (via Argus), Anthony Knockaert joined Leeds on trial before signing for Guingamp in 2009.
“He was on trial at Leeds. That didn’t go so well. He preferred to return to France. We took him on trial in July, signed him in December and we allowed him to finish his season at Lesquin before joining us at Guingamp in the summer of 2009.”
Knockaert is now part of the Brighton side that is currently one of just two teams above Garry Monk’s men in the table, so perhaps had Leeds signed him around a decade ago, they would be the ones reaping the benefits.
ST: Fernando Forestieri
Fernando Forestieri inspired Sheffield Wednesday’s play-off push last season, and so nearly guided them to the Premier League. But could he have been trying to do a similar task at Elland Road had things turned out differently? According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Massimo Cellino suggested that a deal was close before Leeds pulled the plug due to the playmaker’s mentality. Forestieri, unsurprisingly, denied this and took great pride in commenting on his mentality after the Owls beat Leeds last season.
ST: Duncan Ferguson
In 1993, Leeds United were trying to recover after their poor attempt at defending their league title. It seemed that Dundee United striker Duncan Ferguson was earmarked as the man to take them up the table once again as the Whites made a £3.25 million bid for the Scotsman (via Independent). The bid was accepted, but the move did not happen. After a controversial stint with Rangers, Ferguson went on to enjoy promising spells with Everton and Newcastle United.
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