Pretty much every club in existence has a list of transfers they deeply regret sanctioning, and for Leeds United, Elia Caprile might be one to add to theirs.
That’s at least if Il Matino’s latest on the goalkeeper is anything to go by, with them covering the player today and how “not even his father could’ve imagined” the rise he’s currently enjoying.
They explain that the once distant childhood dream of his, and his family, of representing Napoli could be fulfilled as he continues to impress in Italy.
The 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength since returning to Italy from Leeds with Bari in July 2022.
He had been at Elland Road since 2020 and was unable to make his breakthrough at the club but his time there is not seen as a mistake.
Instead, Il Mattino say that his time in the youth team and working in a system set up by Marcelo Bielsa was actually perfect for him and allowed him to grow up more quickly than he might have in Italy.
That is exactly what he did and returned to his homeland a different player and hasn’t looked back since, starring for Bari for a year before Napoli moved to get him for €7m last summer.
They’ve sent him on loan to Empoli this season and he’s continued to make his mark, this time in Serie A, and that won’t have gone unnoticed by the Italian champions.
Indeed, next season could be his big opportunity, particularly if Alex Meret decides to move on and open up a space in Napoli’s squad.
That would give him his chance to fulfil a dream “not even his father could’ve imagined” and perhaps more regret for Leeds at the price they agreed to sell him for.
