Leeds United are pressing for Espanyol striker Mateo Joseph and have the ‘economic power’ to beat competition such as Barcelona for his signature.
That’s according to El Gol Digital, who pick up on the report from yesterday that Leeds are keen on the youngster.
We covered a report from journalist Diego Balbontin that stated Leeds had an agreement in place with the Espanyol youngster and were trying to negotiate with the Spanish side over a move.
He explained that hadn’t happened as yet, with them holding out for €1.5m and Leeds currently only offering €500k.
There was also information from Voz Perica, who covered Balbontin’s report and added how Barcelona had been interested in a deal in the summer but couldn’t afford him.
Now it’s the turn of El Gol Digital, who say Marcelo Bielsa has ‘taken seriously’ the possibility of signing the 20-year-old because of his ‘undeniable qualities’.
They say the fact he could be available on the cheap is ‘most valued’ by those in charge at Leeds, who are trying to get him for lower than his release clause.
The ‘ace up Bielsa’s sleeve’ is that he is willing to offer him, among other things, a chance to join the first team and ‘gain weight’ in the squad.
They also cover the reported interested from Barcelona and say they wanted to find an option to sign Joseph, but Espanyol were not ‘flexible’ enough to make it happen.
They put their demands for the youngster at a level Barca couldn’t reach, and as a result, Leeds have now jumped to the front of the queue.
The Whites have the ‘economic power’ that Barcelona do not, while the ‘growth’ available in the Premier League gives them ‘more concrete chances’ of getting a deal done.
Now, we would advise that you temper expectations as this is El Gol Digital, and they’re not the most reliable of sources, but this is clearly a story that is building quicky for Leeds and one to keep a very close eye on in the coming days.
