One of Leeds’ main transfer targets has been compared to two of the greatest players of the modern era. Rafael Leao, who featured in yesterday’s Leeds United transfer news, is one of several strikers linked with Leeds.
Both Milan’s head coach Stefano Pioli and director Paolo Maldini have heaped praise on the Portuguese starlet with the pair clearly desperate to keep him at the club.
Pioli has claimed Leao has ‘incredible potential’ and he’s clearly a key player as Milan look to return to the top of Italian football. If Leeds do pursue a move for 21-year-old, he won’t be cheap.
Leao has drawn comparisons with both Ronaldos from his former Sporting coach who deemed him better as a youngster than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of all the players linked with Leeds, few are as exciting as Leao, but it will take something special for Milan to let him go.
Merson Urges Leeds To Replace Bamford
Paul Merson is worried about Leeds’ ability to avoid relegation if they don’t sign a striker. Writing in his column for the Daily Star, Merson had greater faith in Fulham staying up than he does in Leeds.
Merson said, “It’s Leeds I worry about if they don’t sign a striker. I don’t see how they survive. I don’t see Patrick Bamford scoring the goals Mitrovic will.”
Luckily for Leeds fans, the latest transfer news suggests Marcelo Bielsa is doing all he can to bolster his goal scoring options for the upcoming campaign.
Merson clearly thinks a new centre forward should be of the utmost priority of the Yorkshire-based club, adding: “If Leeds can get a top quality forward, they might be okay. But that’s where Fulham have such an advantage.”
Patrick Bamford was Leeds’ top scorer in the Championship with 16 goals, but he missed a lot of good opportunities. No other player in the Leeds squad reached double figures.
Former England Star Excited By Leeds Plans
Former England striker Darren Bent has been very impressed with Leeds’ transfer plans.
Bent believes Leeds are short creativity at the moment, and could do with bolstering that area of the squad. He sees Ryan Kent as an ideal signing after Leeds had a £10 million bid rejected on Friday.
Bent said, “He’s certainly got that Ryan Kent and I understand what Bielsa’s doing. I really like what Bielsa’s doing – he’s identifying his squad, he knows his squad’s very good but they need more and I really like what he’s doing there.”
Kent has already found the net twice for Rangers in the first four matches of the Scottish Premiership season and has been a crucial player for the Glaswegian club.
Steven Gerrard doesn’t want to sell, but there’s likely plenty more to come in this transfer saga.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
