Good Morning. It's Wednesday 16th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Whites weighing up Cunha bid
Leeds Utd are weighing up their options following reports that Matheus Cunha is surplus to requirements at Atletico Madrid, and could be available in January. As reported yesterday, the 23yo has slipped down the pecking order at the Metropolitano Stadium, and is yet to score in 17 appearances this season, though to be fair, most have been as substitute.
He was a target for the Whites, during the Summer of 2020, but Leeds opted for Rodrigo instead. He signed for the Spanish Giants in the Summer of 2021 for £22.6m, but are now understood to be demanding £30.7m (€35m). Manchester Utd were also credited with an interest in the Brazilian International, but have now switched their attention elsewhere.
On what planet does a club expect to sell a flop for £8m more than what they bought him for?
Leeds doing their homework on Guerreiro
Leeds Utd scouts were in attendance last Friday night watching Borussia Monchengladbach beat Borussia Dortmund 4-2. It has been reported that Jesse Marsch is keen to bring a specialist attacking left wing back to Elland Road in January, and has identified Raphaël Guerreiro as a possible target. The 28yo has netted 27 times in 147 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, and over fifty caps for Portugal. He is a constant threat down the left wing, as well as being solid in defence. Guerreiro is out of contract at the end of the season, so any fee payable is likely to be minimal.
Where does this leave Struijk? The 22 year old has done a stirling job at left back, earning him top slot in the Leeds Utd ratings this season, with a 'Whoscored' rating of 7.04. Is he ready to displace either Cooper or Koch?
Sell Rodrigo for 50m
Speaking on his Youtube channel, former keeper, now pundit Ben Foster has insisted that Leeds keep hold of Rodrigo, before insinuating he could get bought for £40-50m. Although clearly deluded, Rodrigo has indeed been in a rich vein of form this season, netting nine times already this season, but at 31, and entering the twilight of his career, his price-tag has all but evaporated.
Rodrigo for Leeds, my gosh, this boy is on fire. What a season he is having! They’ve got to hold onto him but again, Leeds seem to be that team where if somebody keeps smashing it, they’ll get bought. It’ll be £40-50 million or whatever it is.