Stuttgart would have little choice but to sell reported Leeds United target Nicolas Gonzalez if someone makes a bid of £25 million, sporting director Sven Mislintat has told Kicker.
With just three weeks remaining until Leeds play their first Premier League fixture since May 2004, the West Yorkshire giants appear to be no closer to signing the new number nine they are crying out for.
The Guardian reported last week that the Championship champions have held talks with Stuttgart over a deal for Gonzalez, turning their attention to an Argentine international compared to the legendary Mario Kempes after missing out on Jonathan David to Lille.
Gonzalez himself admitted to TMW earlier in the summer that he had informed Stuttgart of his desire to leave the Mercedes Benz Arena.
But in such uncertain financial times, finding a club willing to pay big for his signature is easier said than done.
“Let’s be honest, if someone comes on October 1st and puts a fabulous sum of £25 million-plus on the table for Nico or another player – who could refuse something like that?” says Mislintat.
“(But) I don’t see it coming either.”
Another Stuttgart director, former Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, added last week that a deal for Gonzalez would be ‘really expensive’, when speaking to Tag24.
Leeds have a decision to make then with time running out until that daunting opening day trip to Liverpool.
After firing Stuttgart to promotion with 15 goals in 29 games, is Gonzalez the man to fire Leeds to Premier League survival?
Brighton are interested too.
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