Caleb Ekuban ‘Directed Towards’ a Move to Leeds United

Caleb Ekuban is a name that has been linked on-and-off with a move to Leeds United for around a month now. A player for Italian side Chievo Verona, Ekuban impressed while out on loan at Albanian side Partizani Tirana, and caught the eye of former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi. The old lady’s former chief was an advisor for Demat e Kuq, and Ekuban impressed him after a trial with the club. 17 goals and 5 assists later, clubs have taken interest in the 23-year-old. Coincidently, new head coach Thomas Christiansen’s former employers APOEL Nicosia were linked to Ekuban in mid-June.

After a period of silence, Italian outlet Gazette dello Sport claim that Caleb Ekuban is on his way out of Chievo Verona and is ‘directed towards’ a move to Elland Road.

Born in Italy, Ekuban has spent his entire career footballing in Italy. Ekuban made his way through the Chievo Youth Academy and after being promoted to the Gialloblu’s u19 side was loaned out to Italian third tier side FC Südtirol. His loan at Südtirol was the first of many spells away from Chievo, as he joined fellow third division sides Lumezzane on a 16-month loan and Renate on a year-long deal after that. Last season, on loan at FK Partizani, was the first time Caleb Ekuban played outside of Italy. Having been a part of Chievo all his life, Ekuban still has yet to play a senior game for the club, and it might stay that way.

Ekuban may be on his way out of Chievo Verona, but I don’t think Leeds is the place for him. As impressive as scoring a lot of goals is in the Albanian Superliga, it is still the Albanian Superliga. Per transfermarkt.com, the league has a total value of €40.6M. Leeds United as a club itself has a higher value at €42.8M. If Ekuban had the same numbers last season for Chievo -hell, if he even actually played some games for the club- I’d have a different tone for this rumor. But if you can’t make it at the Italian version of Leeds, (Chievo is valued at just around the same as Leeds, €42.6) I don’t see how you can make it in England. If this is a move that does end up happening, I hope Caleb Ekuban can prove me wrong. But please, let's focus on bringing in other guys.