Leeds United have now made an method to signal a defender who’s “pure class”, and he could possibly be out there for a payment of simply £5m, in response to reporter Ben Jacobs.
Leeds eyeing new defender amid Firpo uncertainty
Junior Firpo performed a key function within the Whites’ promotion, gathering 4 targets and ten assists in 32 Championship video games, however the left-back might now be heading for the exit door, amid widespread hyperlinks with La Liga aspect Actual Betis.
Whereas Firpo is able to making an actual influence from an attacking viewpoint, former Leeds man Paul Robinson believes it might be the best determination to let the defender depart this summer time, given his earlier struggles within the prime flight.
Robinson mentioned: “Firpo, I’ve bought my issues about. I feel he’s been glorious within the Championship. However some gamers, the Championship is their degree, and within the Premiership, earlier than he was uncovered defensively, he was effectively out of place many occasions, prone to targets, and groups focused him, and I feel the step-up was possibly an excessive amount of for him.”
Within the Premier League, Daniel Farke’s aspect might should be a bit extra pragmatic than they have been final season, which suggests the supervisor is wanting to herald a brand new left-back, who’s defensively strong, fairly than a risk going ahead.
Based on Jacobs, in an replace on X, Leeds have now made an method to signal Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno, submitting an enquiry a couple of deal for the left-back, who can be attracting curiosity from Burnley and plenty of unnamed La Liga golf equipment.
With Moreno’s Villa contract set to run out in 2026, he’s set to be out there for round £5m this summer time, making him an reasonably priced choice for the Championship title-winners.
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The Whites have stepped up their pursuit of a midfielder, with discussions ongoing.
“Pure class” Moreno impressed throughout Nottingham Forest mortgage
Having been deemed surplus to necessities by Unai Emery, the defender was shipped out on mortgage to Nottingham Forest final season, and the Spaniard managed to impress at occasions, with author Lee Clarke describing his performances as “pure class”.
Clarke additionally added: “I confess I used to be unsure about his hamstring historical past when he signed however there have been no unwell results in that sense to this point. Moreno is established on the left within the group now and he’s a 7/10 on the very least in each single sport.”
That mentioned, the 32-year-old, who has the identical agent as Illan Meslier, went on to play much less of a outstanding function because the season went on, typically being left on the bench by Nuno, which suggests he was unable to take care of his preliminary ranges of efficiency.
As such, there are doubts over whether or not Moreno could be a worthwhile signing for Leeds, however he could possibly be an improve on Firpo from a defensive standpoint, having outperformed the left-back throughout some key metrics over the previous yr.
Common per 90 | Alex Moreno | Junior Firpo |
Tackles | 2.36 | 2.27 |
Interceptions | 1.41 | 1.27 |
Blocks | 1.04 | 0.86 |
Clearances | 4.05 | 3.51 |
