Adama Traore joining Leeds United has been touted this week.
According to TeamTalk, Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta is genuinely attempting to sign the Wolverhampton Wanderers winger this summer.
The Whites came within a hair of being relegated back into the Championship this past season, securing their Premier League status on the final day of the campaign.
And therefore, recruitment is going to be enormous in determing whether the Elland Road outfit thrive, survive or get relegated next season.
Patrick Bamford is on record as saying how much he rates the Spain international, describing him as ‘exceptional‘ via The Northern Echo back in 2018.
Bamford played alongside the monstrous attacker at Middlesbrough, where he was also managed by former Leeds manager Garry Monk.
Monk, however, was less complimentary toward the player – especially during an interview back in 2017.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Monk publicly criticised Traore for his ‘unacceptable’ behaviour which led to him being dropped from the squad at one point.
Monk said: “In terms of Adama, he was late for the bus, and you can’t be late for the bus. We don’t accept that. That’s why he wasn’t in the squad. Those are the rules that every player and everyone has to abide by. We were travelling, he missed the time, and that’s why he missed the trip.”
Nobody doubts the Spaniard’s talent because, after all, there’s a reason why Barcelona signed him on loan during the second half of last season.
However, there’s also a reason why they aren’t taking him to Camp Nou on a permanent basis and it’s due to consistency – or a lack of.
Monk’s comments highlight a player who was unorganised five years ago and although Traore is much older – and hopefully wiser now – he remains an enigmatic figure and one who isn’t guaranteed to be a success at Leeds, if he does go.
Adama Traore joining Leeds United is an exciting prospect but for others, it could be considered a gamble.
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