Reported Leeds United and Liverpool target Rodrigo de Paul is a ‘champion all-rounder’ who takes inspiration from Diego Maradona, Udinese director Pierpaolo Marino told Radio CRC, via SpazioNapoli.
Interestingly, the Argentina ace is no longer a fleet-footed, twinkle-toed forward in the Maradona mould.
Since moving to Udinese five years ago, De Paul has blossomed instead into an aggressive, dynamic, box-to-box central midfielder. The 26-year-old added another string to his bow on international duty too, shining in a more defensively-minded role while earning the admiration of a certain Leo Messi.
According to the Sun, Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are planning to renew their interest in 2020’s top target, while a tired-looking Liverpool side are considering a £26 million bid of their own (TuttoJuve).
After watching De Paul transform himself into one of the most complete midfielders in European football, Marino will not be surprised to see the offers come rolling in.
“Rodrigo De Paul? He is a champion, an ‘all-rounder’. His development is the result of a crystalline class but also of a lot of self-denial. He is tireless in his work-ethic,” admitted the Udinese director, who worked with arguably football’s greatest ever player during his time at Napoli.
“I list him among the best captains I’ve ever had in my teams. I’ll tell you another aspect that characterises him: Rodrigo has an incredible reverence for Diego Armando Maradona.
“From time to time, he asks me to tell him some tales of Diego. He is thirsty to know the details of his life, even off the pitch.”
It is De Paul’s abilities on the pitch, however, that have Leeds and Liverpool battling for his signature.
In total, the former Valencia starlet has six goals and seven assists to his name this season; not a bad tally, when you consider that Udinese are a mid-table club at best.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
