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It appears that Leeds United are once again linked to a player from Italy. And no, it’s not Jerry Mbakogu.
Reports out of Italy suggest that Leeds are interested in SPAL striker Andrea Petagna, and have already had one bid rejected for him. The bid was supposedly €15 million, but SPAL value him at €25 million, so no movement has occurred at this time.
Leeds United have had a €15m offer for SPAL striker Andrea Petagna rejected (@tancredipalmeri) #LUFC pic.twitter.com/36XiV1S643
— Transfer Rumours UK (@TransferRumou14) July 29, 2019
Petagna, who started his career at AC Milan before going to Sampdoria, Latina Calcio, Vicenza, Ascoli, Atalanta, and finally SPAL. He was on loan to SPAL last season from Atalanta, and the deal was made permanent on 1 July for a reported £10.80 million plus a loan fee of £2.70 million, meaning that SPAL have already shelled out £13.5 million to sign him permanently, so a €15 million bid seems extremely low.
Last season was also the first season that Petagna managed to put it all together, as he scored 16 goals in 36 appearances for the surprise Serie A outfit. SPAL managed a respectable 13th place with 42 points, quite the finish for a team that was only in its 2nd Serie A season since 1968.
Is this rumoured signing going to come true? Almost certainly not. Leeds have already committed to spending £15 million on Helder Costa next summer, and haven’t appeared ready to shell out a lot of cash for anyone else, much less a striker after spending £8 million for Patrick Bamford last season.
Additionally, a €15 million bid is rather low, even for a player who’s had one good season. SPAL aren’t in a position where they have to sell, so they can easily hold out for more money, not to mention they’ve already invested nearly as much in him (the £13.5 million works out to about €14.8 million using current exchange rates).
Milan’s Patrick Cutrone has already gone to Wolverhampton for a reported fee of €20 million, and he’s three years younger and is coming off of a much worse season. SPAL will never let Petagna go for such a low fee and Leeds aren’t gonna spend that kind of money, so this rumour seems extremely unlikely to come good.