Leeds United are willing to hand Lucas Vazquez an £80,000-a-week deal at Elland Road but face competition from Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton for the Real Madrid winger, as reported by Deportes Cuatro.
While Vazquez has become one of the most important cogs in the Madrid machine this season, you wouldn’t have guessed it to look at his contract.
The versatile Spain international is due to become a free agent in July.
But, according to Diario Madridista, Real are unwilling to meet his demands of a 15 per cent pay rise.
Vazquez has also rejected the initial contract offer put forward by the La Liga champions, meaning a parting of the ways is starting to look probable rather than possible.
And, given that the 29-year-old will soon be available for absolutely nothing, Leeds can afford to offer Vazquez an eye-watering deal at Elland Road.
Reports from the Spanish capital believe that the three-time Champions League winner would have a pay packet worth around £80,000-a-week.
This would see Vazquez replace compatriot Rodrigo Moreno as the club’s highest earner (Spotrac).
Then again, if you are going to pay a substantial sum for a new signing, who better than a man who has conquered the continent on three separate occasions, all the while making nearly 250 appearances in that famous white shirt of Real Madrid?
“What he’s doing right now doesn’t surprise us,” Zinedine Zidane said after Vazquez scored in January’s 2-0 triumph over Celta Vigo.
“Not only do I like him, we all like him because he is always on the job and reliable. He always gives everything on the pitch and we appreciate that. I congratulate him.”
Deportes add that AC Milan and Napoli are also interested, while Carlo Ancelotti has approved Everton’s pursuit of a hard-working winger who has filled in superbly at right-back this season.
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