Leeds are expected to be busy in the transfer market this summer.
Former Fulham playmaker Bryan Ruiz’s time at Sporting Lisbon is set to come to an end as his contract expires at the end of the month, which is likely to alert a whole host of sides this summer.
The 32-year-old is preparing for this summer’s World Cup with Costa Rica, with whom he is set to wear the captain’s armband as the South Americans look to defy the odds and reach the group stages.
They face a tall order in doing so, though, as they face Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia in Group E of this summer’s competition. But Ruiz will have extra motivation to shine, as he looks to impress scouts ahead of an interesting summer.
England face Costa Rica at Leeds United’s Elland Road on Thursday in a warm-up friendly, and the Championship club should be one of those interested parties keeping an eye on Ruiz’s form in Russia this summer.
The experienced star is known for his ability to link up the midfield and attack, but as he enters the final stages of his professional career, he has dropped deeper into midfield.
It is in that position where Leeds lacked both experience and consistency last season, with the likes of Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips showing on occasion that they have bright futures. But they failed to do it week in, week out.
Adding Ruiz would give Leeds an attacking dimension from deep, something that was crucially missing under both Thomas Christiansen and indeed Paul Heckingbottom as goals were expected from the attackers.
Ruiz’s spell at Fulham went under the radar, but the classy South American star still managed eight goals and 16 assists in 68 Premier League appearances, having a hand in a goal in just under every three games.
But to gain promotion, everyone needs to chip in with goals and assists and signing Ruiz would give the Whites a player that can do just that from central midfield. On a free, he would be an excellent signing.
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