Leeds United are keen to reunite Marcelo Bielsa with Lucas Ocampos at Elland Road, although the £56 million-rated Sevilla winger appears to have little interest in leaving the La Liga giants, as reported by the Mail.
Could the Argentine’s arm be twisted by the opportunity to join forces, once again, with one of the most influential and enigmatic coaches in the game?
Ocampos was a budding youngster when he played under Bielsa at Marseille and it is fair to say the modern-day L’OM legend left quite the impression on his compatriot.
“It was unique to be managed by Marcelo Bielsa,” Ocampos told TYC last year.
Six years after Bielsa’s typically explosive departure from the Stade Velodrome, reports have emerged suggesting that a reunion may be on the cards.
Ocampos, who has a £56 million release clause in his contract and could set Leeds back a club-record fee, is attracting plenty of interest after realising his potential in Seville, scoring a career-best 17 goals en route to 2020’s Europa League triumph.
But, having played for five different clubs since 2015, the tricky winger appears to have little interest in leaving the Estadio Ramons Sanchez Pizjuan after just two seasons.
“I am grateful to this club because it gave me confidence and I exploded in many ways I have not done at other clubs,” Ocampos told Canal Sur Radio.
“The happiness and desire to play soccer that I have here, I did not have in many other places.
“I am very happy – both myself and my family. I do not dislike at all the idea of continuing with this great club.”
The message is clear. It would take something special for Ocampos to consider swapping Sevilla for a fresh start away from Andalusia.
But the lure of Bielsa has given Leeds the sort of pulling power that, just a few years ago, they could only have dreamed off in the transfer market. Never say never.
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