Long-term Leeds United target Rodrigo De Paul has hinted his future lies in Udinese, telling the club’s website he has “closed the door” on a move.
The West Yorkshire faithful waited 20 years to see their beloved club break their transfer record.
But, less than 12 months after Rodrigo Moreno swapped one of Europe’s sleeping giants for another, could an Argentina international replace him in the Elland Road history books?
Valued at £40 million, De Paul would certainly cost a fair bit more than Rodrigo (Sun).
Leeds baulked after learning of his hefty price tag last summer but, with Marcelo Bielsa’s forward-thinking thrill-seekers all but securing their survival with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace, there will be plenty of money to spend when an impressive 2020/21 campaign comes to an end (Mirror).
Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Liverpool have also been linked with De Paul since the turn of the year.
But, with his young family happy and settled in Udine, don’t presume De Paul will be demanding a big-money move away from the Stadio Friuli.
“I don’t know when it will be my last day here but, until then, I’ll give everything,” says the one-time Valencia youngster.
“Even this summer and January there was a lot of talk about me (leaving Udinese). But I immediately went to the director to tell him I wouldn’t go anywhere.
“I closed the doors to everyone and we hope to continue like this. My daughter was born here and my son is about to be born, who will also be a Friulian.
“I have to thank the fans so much. They have always had nice words for me. Every day, I get beautiful messages from them. I know it’s not easy to have that love, that connection, that energy.
“Returning to the Champions League with Udinese would be the best. I believe sooner or later this will come.”
De Paul was shaping up to be one of the most intriguing narratives of the 2021 transfer window.
But has this story already come to an end?
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