Leeds continue to push for major additions to their squad ahead of the new Premier League season kicking off this weekend.
Reports of interest in Rodrigo De Paul may have dominated Leeds United transfer news, but Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha is also getting linked with a move to Elland Road.
It is claimed Leeds have enquired about Palhinha and Sporting are asking for £12.6 million. They are seemingly in no rush to sell, however, and will offer the 25-year-old a new contract if they do not receive an offer matching their valuation.
Palhinha prefers a move to the Premier League, and with both Leeds and Wolves interested, it seems possible. CSKA Moscow have had a bid rejected for the midfielder already this offseason, and at this stage are the only team to have made a concrete offer.
He isn’t the biggest name Leeds have been linked with, but Palhinha would bring plenty of top flight experience. He would be a good option in midfield and could be a priority after adding to their defence and attack already this window.
Whites Pursue PSG Outcast
Leeds have been big-name hunting all offseason. Per RMC Sport, Julian Draxler is the latest international star being targeted by Marcelo Bielsa.
Draxler, a Germany international, has 12 months left on his current deal at PSG and the club’s sporting director Leonardo is looking to move him on.
Unfortunately for Leeds, Draxler has not been keen to leave the French capital. He has already rejected several Bundesliga clubs and RMC claim he is yet to show a positive response to the Whites’ approach.
Draxler would be a major coup for Leeds. This is yet another story which shows Leeds’ ambition this summer.
Leeds De Paul Offer Rejected
After much bluster about Leeds’ approach for Udinese star Rodrigo De Paul, Mondo Udinese reported the Serie A club have ‘rejected the first assault’ from the Elland Road outfit.
Leeds are not the only club interested in De Paul, as reported on 888Sport on Monday.
Leicester and several Serie A sides have been linked with the Argentina international, but Leeds’ interest is seemingly the most advanced with an offer turned down by Udinese owner Gino Pozzo.
If Leeds have had a €35m bid for De Paul rejected cause Udinese want €40m then surely they just match that.. #LUFC
— ROSSii (@MrROSSii1990) September 8, 2020
A variety of reports have mentioned a €40 million asking price, of which Leeds’ first offer fell far short. British media has been mooting Leicester’s supposed interest, while Italian media is less clear.
The ‘first assault’ was presumably the bid which has been reported frequently over the last few days. It remains to be seen if Leeds go again for De Paul.
They recently broke their club transfer record to acquire Spanish international Rodrigo and will have to smash the record again if they are to bring De Paul to Elland Road and fight off competition from Leicester, Juventus and Napoli.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Manu Fernandez / AP Photo*
