Leeds United want Pedro and the Flamengo striker has made Brazil’s World Cup squad – but Tim Vickery has highlighted his lack of pace.
The Whites really needed to sign a new striker over the summer.
Charles De Ketelaere and Arnaud Kalimuendo were both targeted but ended up signing for AC Milan and Rennes respectively.
Victor Orta wasn’t able to sign an immediate impact striker with Wilfried Gnonto one for the future.
Leeds will surely need to find a new striker in January and Orta has his eyes on the Brazilian market.
Leeds United want Pedro
Fabrizio Romano told Give Me Sport just before the summer transfer deadline that Leeds fancied signing Pedro.
Romano suggested that Leeds had been interested in Pedro for a while but a move just wasn’t possible.
Flamengo wanted to keep Pedro for their Copa Libertadores campaign and that decision paid dividends.
Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores and Pedro was named top goalscorer in the competition, so it worked out well for everybody… well, maybe except Leeds.
The Whites will surely still have Pedro on their radar though, especially after 25 goals in his last 35 games for Flamengo.
The 25-year-old has now earned a spot in the Brazil squad for the World Cup, pipping Roberto Firmino to a place in Tite’s squad.
Pedro may only be cover for Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus but he is clearly highly-regarded in Brazil.
South American football expert Tim Vickery has now offered his view on Pedro whilst speaking on Sky Sports.
Vickery noted that Pedro’s poor stint at Fiorentina may have been down to knee surgery that just took its toll on him.
Vickery also claims that Pedro is ‘not quick’ but is outstanding in the penalty area and an ‘excellent’ finisher.
Pedro may even head back to Europe according to Vickery and that may play into Leeds’ hands, but other clubs may well be interested too.
“The local hero over here is the centre forward, Pedro of Flamengo, who was the top goalscorer in South America’s Champions League, the Copa Libertadores,” said Vickery.
“He had a brief go with Fiorentina, it only lasted four games – I think he was coming back from a cruciate operation and wasn’t at his best, but he’s not quick, but he is very, very good in the penalty area. He’s an excellent finisher and he’s very technically accomplished.”
“I don’t think he’s going to start, but let’s say you’re chasing a game and the opposition are defending deep, Pedro is then the man who comes on.”
“He’s one of those players, you can imagine him, after the World Cup, getting another crack at European football so I think Pedro of Flamengo is certainly one to look out for,” he added.
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