Why Leeds United Should Look To Sign Alvaro Negredo
In one of the most surprising and ambitious transfer stories of the summer, Leeds United are planning a shock swoop for Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo, according to the Mirror.
The 31-year old is surplus to requirements at the Mestalla this summer and is available for £6.4 million according to the report and Leeds are willing to match that price in order to sign him. However, it also claims that the Whites have competition in the form of Premier League outfit Swansea City, who are also keen on adding the Spaniard to the ranks.
Leeds have had a huge influx of players in the summer, since the appointment of Thomas Christiansen as the new manager. They have brought in nine players already and there have been plenty of attacking reinforcements in the form of Ezgjan Alioski, Hadi Sacko (loan to permanent), Samu Saiz and Caleb Ekuban.
With Saiz and Ekuban as additional striking options to complement last season’s top-scorer Chris Wood, there doesn’t seem to be a need for another forward to come in to the team. But, when a player of Negredo’s quality and ability becomes available, the club has to try and make an attempt to bring him in.
The 31-year old Spain international spent last season on loan with Middlesbrough in the Premier League and scored 9 times and assisted 4 goals in 36 league outings and also found the back of the net on one occasion in the FA Cup. It wasn’t his first spell in England as he had spent two years with Manchester City, one of which was spent on loan at Valencia. In his only season with the Citizens, he made 49 appearances, scoring 23 goals and 8 assists.
A supreme finisher and one of the best headers of the ball, Negredo has shown that he can be a hit in the English conditions. With his physique and ability to hold the ball at the top, he will help the likes of Alioski and Kemar Roofe get into more dangerous positions in the final third.
Moreover, having won a number of trophies throughout his career and his years of experience at the top level is something that could help Leeds achieve promotion back to the Premier League that has been eluding them for over 10 years now.
It will not be easy by any means to convince Negredo to take a step down and play in the Championship, and it will be no easy task to find a way to play him and Chris Wood in the same team as well, given both of them are very similar players. But, just for the quality and the invaluable experience that the 31-year old will be able to bring to the team, Leeds should look to sign him.