The new Leeds United manager is sure to be familiar with the Argentine, whose West Bromwich Albion exit was announced on Wednesday.
If Leeds United were ever off the map then Marcelo Bielsa’s arrival has put them firmly back on it.
What impact the esteemed coach will have on on-the-pitch events remains to be seen, although one thing is almost certain – that his presence will lead a higher calibre of signing at Elland Road.
Abel Hernandez, Matej Vydra and David Stockdale are among the players to have been linked with Leeds moves so far this window, each of whom would come with serious Championship – and in the case of Hernandez, some Premier League – pedigree.
However, these are unlikely to be the last appetite-whetting targets to emerge as Bielsa gets to work.
So who could be next? Well, how about another Argentinian, recently released by West Bromwich Albion?
While Claudio Yacob may not have a direct link to the new Leeds boss, he is bound to have appeared on his radar at some stage.
Yacob was becoming a regular in Argentina’s Premier League when Bielsa took over the national team of neighbouring Chile, and emerged on the senior international stage himself shortly after the 62-year-old left that post.
Since then, the 30-year-old has been, for the most part, a mainstay in a West Brom side that until last season was one of the Premier League’s most steady sides, making 160 top flight appearances.
However, last season saw a Yacob’s league outings reduced by more than half and while interest from the highest level may yet materialise, it is possible the former Racing Club player will be looking down rather than up as he enters his career’s twilight years.
As it happens, midfield is one area of Leeds’ side that could be open to strengthening, and Yacob’s leadership (did I mention he was captain for much of his West Brom career?) and battling qualities would be much-welcomed within the Elland Road engine room, where scarce few of the current crop have proved themselves much use in that department.
While wages could make his signing difficult, a lack of transfer fee would certainly aid the Whites’ chances – as, of course, would the presence of Bielsa.
Is the former West Bromwich Albion player one Leeds United should target this summer?
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