Marcelo Bielsa is keen to bring an exciting centre-back to Elland Road this summer with El Intransigente reporting that the £14 million-rated Lucas Martinez Quarta is a Leeds United target.
Only Ben White could receive an elbow to the jaw minutes into a clash with one of the most feared strikers in the Championship, before turning in the most cultured, composed and commanding performance possible as Leeds swept promotion-chasing Fulham aside with ease.
But Aleksandar Mitrovic is hardly the first striker to be kept at arms length this season by perhaps the finest defender to wear that famous white kit since a young Rio Ferdinand.
White looks all-but irreplaceable these days.
Though with the 22-year-old on loan at Leeds from Brighton, replacing him is something Leeds will probably have to do when the season comes to an end.
Then again, with twice-capped Argentina international Martinez Quarta linked with a move to West Yorkshire, Leeds might already be preparing for life without the oft-faultless White.
Blessed with wonderful footwork and the elegance of a cultured playmaker, Martinez looks every inch a centre-back built for Bielsaball.
And, like White, he has no qualms with throwing his body on the line when required.
“He is one of the interesting players in Argentine soccer,” Argentine legend Javier Zanetti said recently amid claims that Martinez could swap River Plate for Inter Milan.
Spanish giants Valencia have also been linked, via La Razon, with a £14 million fee apparently enough to secure Martinez’s sought-after signature.
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