Leeds United in talks with Udinese for Rodrigo De Paul

Leeds United are in talks with Serie A side Udinese to sign Rodrigo De Paul, with the price estimated at around €30-35 million.

The Whites are looking to add a versatile creative midfielder this summer, with the chase for Ryan Kent going cold as they look to sell Alfredo Morelos, and can’t afford to lose another key asset as they chase the SPL title.

And now, Mike McGrath from The Telegraph reports that Leeds are looking to sign de Paul, who can play as a number 10, false-nine and winger. The former Valenica man signed for Udinese in 2016, and has scored 25 and assisted 25 in 146 appearances in all competitions.

The Argentine scored seven and assisted six last season in Serie A, playing in a variety of different positions in the midfield thanks to his excellent defensive output for such an attack-minded player. De Paul made 1.8 tackles per game in Serie A while playing as a number 10, number 8, holding midfielder, striker and winger.

The 26-year old is clearly a Bielsa player, with his versatility and defensive capabilities coupled with his threat for scoring and creating goals at a high level. And it’s not just Bielsa that has recognised his talent, as he has 17 Argentina caps to his name since October 2018.

This is an exciting development in Leeds’ transfer window, and if they can get a deal done for De Paul, The Whites will have made big upgrades in the squad following the arrivals of Rodrigo Moreno and Robin Koch.