Why Signing This Versatile £5million Mexican Could Be A Major Sign Of Intent From Leeds United This Season

Why Signing Andres Guardado Could Be A Major Sign Of Intent From Leeds United This Season

Leeds United look set to make a move for Andres Guardado and it’s a deal that shows real ambition, being that it could cost them well over £5million. The fee seems awfully large for a 31-year-old, who may or may not take to the English Championship, though that doesn’t appear to put anyone off at the club who are looking to bring in the Real Betis man in January.

Guardado only joined Betis in the summer but may be allowed to leave for the right fee, having been responsible for 6 assists in 13 Primera Liga matches so far. Leeds appear to be willing to offer £5m and that would certainly tempt the Spanish club into talking.

The age factor isn’t simply a negative either. His huge experience would potentially help some of the club’s talents along such as Kalvin Phillips, Kemar Roofe and Ronaldo Vieira.

Guardado has won a grand total of 142 caps for Mexico, which puts him in their all-time top five in terms of appearances, and has appeared for Bayer Leverkusen, Valencia and PSV Eindhoven in his admirable club career.

Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen has spoken publicly in recent days and weeks about the club’s plans to bring in new talents in January.

Victor Orta, the club’s director of football, and owner Andrea Radrizzani have been working on potential targets in the background while Christiansen is concentrating on team matters. So we should see plenty of movement as soon as the winter window opens.

Christiansen’s immediate target is to turn their form around on the pitch before January, meaning any new players should help Leeds to kick on and ensure at least a play-off place for next spring. From the outside view, it would appear this deal is a very pricey one for players who may (worst case scenario) only have a year or so left at the top of their game. So it represents some risk.

Not only is he now 31 years old, he has winged it backwards and forwards to North and Central America to play for his country over 140 times and so he has plenty of miles on the clock in more than one sense.

If we are to take the view though that the money involved is none of our business, then a move for a player with the experience and ability of Guardado is very definitely a good thing and should be encouraged by the club’s supporters.