Leeds ready €15 million bid for Fiorentina’s Erick Pulgar

Leeds United are preparing a second bid for Fiorentina midfielder Erick Pulgar, upping their offer from €10 million to €15 million according to La Nazione and transfer specialist Nicolo Schira.

The Italian paper broke the news of the original bid last week, and have revealed that talks are ‘“intensifying“ amid a fresh bid from The Whites.

Rodrigo De Paul has been Leeds’ number one target since sealing the transfers of Rodrigo Moreno and Robin Koch in one weekend. However, coverage of the ongoing talks has been cryptic and contradictory at best, with Italian media claiming a deal is close.

But Leeds have been looking into alternatives, with Erick Pulgar emerging as a player who The Whites are “serious“ on, with the 24-cap Chilean being available for a significantly lower fee. A second bid of €15 million could be viewed as sufficient, but it is unclear on how quickly this move could go if all details are agreeable.

Pulgar is a defensive midfielder with serious offensive danger, with the 26-year old scoring seven and assisting eight last season in league and cup having moved from Bologna for £9 million according to TransferMarkt.

The Copa America winner is versatile, with experience as a holding midfielder; centre-back; and central midfielder, as he produced six goals and two assists in his last season at Bologna.

An exciting and versatile player for a good price, he could become a preferred option to battle with Udinese for De Paul as they demand a hefty fee, while Phil Hay from The Athletic reports that Leeds are “in two minds“ as to whether to continue with negotiations. Pulgar could present Leeds with an ideal ultimatum as they look into a deal for Dan James alongside any other additions.