Leeds United reportedly wanted Matej Vydra in 2016.
A deal like this would be absolutely massive for Leeds, who have not spent more than £4.5 million on a player since they were relegated 14 years ago.
Even this fee was spent just this past year, on Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Forshaw.
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Moving for Vydra for £11 million would really be a case of new owner Andrea Radrizzani flexing his financial power, considering Leeds once felt a fraction of that figure was too expensive.
The Sun reported in 2016 [22/7 p54 via HITC at the time] that Leeds had the opportunity to sign Vydra on loan from Premier League side Watford for the season.
It would have cost the Whites £2 million to secure him for the season on loan, a fee they clearly felt was too high as they backed off and saw the Czech Republic forward join Reading instead.
In fairness to Leeds’ budget at the time, to spend £2 million to get a player for just one season was dubious in terms of value for money, but that season Leeds fell narrowly short of promotion under Garry Monk.
If they had Vydra supporting Chris Wood instead of Marcus Antonsson, signed for £1.3 million, Leeds could well have made the play-offs.
Now under Andrea Radrizzani, if that option was open to Leeds they likely would have taken it.
£11 million would be a huge fee to spend for Leeds to get Vydra permanently now, but his track record would suggest he is worth it.
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