2021 Copa America stars that Leeds United should sign

The world’s oldest international competition features the best talent that Leeds United should put on their transfer radar.

By JP Devetori@jp_deve44 Jun 30, 2021, 7:00pm BST

Ecuador v Peru: Group B - Copa America Brazil 2021

This year’s Copa America features many notable stars whose names make the radar in this summer transfer market. Leeds United should take notice of these ten players due to their great performances they displayed in the tournament and how well they would fit into the Marcelo Bielsa’s line-up. Here are the 10 Copa America stars that Leeds should target this summer or for future transfer windows.

10. Julian Alvarez (right-winger, River Plate, 21-years-old)

Argentina’s youngest player has not made his Copa America debut yet, but he is River Plate’s crown jewel. Not many players can mature as quick as Alvarez, who played in big matches such as the 2018 & 2019 Copa Libertadores finals and was in the top 10 goal scorers in last year’s Copa Libertadores. Alvarez can play both wings so he can alternate left or right with Jack Harrison or Raphinha.

9. Wuilker Fariñez (goalkeeper, Lens, 23-years-old)

Venezuela v Ecuador: Group B - Copa America Brazil 2021

The newly acquired player for Lens had himself a stellar Copa America. He earned a cleansheet in his first match versus Colombia, blocking their eight shots on goal. Fariñez is also a quick playmaker; after every save he would immediately punt to create a scoring opportunity. He should be under consideration whenever Leeds lack a goalkeeper.

8. Ayrton Preciado (left-winger, Santos Laguna, 26-years-old)

Preciado has displayed a whole another level of speed. Each of his matches showed how he covered the entire pitch and managed to deliver two goals for Ecuador. Preciado can serve on the left-wing opposite of Costa, Raphinha or Ian Poveda or serve as a top substitute for the three wingers.

7. Alejandro “Papu” Gomez (second striker, Sevilla, 33-years-old)

Argentina v Paraguay: Group A - Copa America Brazil 2021

The veteran striker is shown to be an executer in each of his goals. You don’t see great finishers like Papu Gomez that often and having him on Leeds whether long term or short term can bolster the attack alongside Patrick Bamford.

6. Ben Brereton (centre-forward, Blackburn Rovers, 22-years-old)

Chile v Bolivia: Group A - Copa America Brazil 2021

Brereton has established himself as Chile’s newest stars. With a goal and an assist in the tournament, Brereton has drawn interest since he plays in the EFL Championship and should be playing in a better level. If he were to transfer to Leeds, he can serve alongside Bamford in a 4-4-2 line-up or a 4-3-3 with him, Bamford, and Rodrigo.

5. Luis Abram (centre-back, Velez Sarsfield, 25-years-old)

Peru v Colombia - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

Abram is set to be a free agent starting tomorrow which acquiring him would make a good investment for any club. Abram is a versatile defender who can defend in the back-line and using his big stature to score in corner kicks. If acquired, Abram be pushed as a left-back - since that is his secondary position - and form a brick wall back-line defence with the likes of Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente, and Luke Ayling.

4. Luis Diaz (left-midfielder, Porto, 24-years-old)

Brazil v Colombia: Group B - Copa America Brazil 2021

Diaz is the most talented player in this list and he backs it up with a bicycle kick goal that is worthy for goal of the tournament. Going after Diaz is a gamble since he is worth over £13 million according to Transfermarkt. With the absence of James Rodriguez in the Copa America, Diaz stepped up and became the fast playmaking midfielder that Colombia had with James. Diaz easily suits well in the left-midfield role opposite of Stuart Dallas and can be utilised as a winger if needed.

3. Renan Lodi (left-back, Atletico Madrid, 23-years-old)

Lodi is the most expensive player in the list, being worth close to £21 million according to Transfermarkt. Lodi established himself to become one of Brazil’s dominant back-line but he only makes the starting eleven with Atletico Madrid 29 percent of the time, according to Transfermarkt. An underrated player like Lodi shouldn’t be on the bench and he should see his starting chances with Atletico improve. Lodi’s arrival to Leeds would form a dangerous back-line with Lodi, Cooper, Llorente, and Ayling.

2. Gianluca Lapadula (centre-forward, Benevento, 31-years-old)

Colombia v Peru: Group A - Copa America Brazil 2021

Lapadula emerged as a fan favourite in Peru with his dynamic playmaking, accurate finishing, and versatility. The Serie A veteran has high pitch IQ where he plays as a centre-forward but he can also adapt as a second striker. His current club, Benevento, just got relegated to Serie B and player his calibre shouldn’t stay there for long. Lapadula easily fits in the Leeds starting XI, having him paired with Bamford creates a lethal scoring duo and establish a dangerous 4-3-3 with him, Bamford, and Rodrigo.

1. Nahitan Nandez (central-midfielder, Cagliari, 25-years-old)

Uruguay v Paraguay: Group A - Copa America Brazil 2021

No surprise that Nandez is number one due to the Uruguayan international wishing to play in the Premier League under Bielsa. Nandez is known to be on-point with his assists and being a fierce playmaker. Feeding teammates to score goals such as Bamford, Rodrigo, Costa and Raphinha can form a great offensive line-up and he can cover the entire pitch by playing up with Bamford and serve with the back-line for defence. Nandez is also a big price tag to acquire, being ranged from £25-30 million - but he would be worth every penny.

Let us know in the comments below, or @ThruItAllLUFC on Twitter, which players you liked on this list that Leeds United should get this summer or the next transfer window.