Leeds United fans may have been handed their biggest hint yet that a new signing is on his way to Elland Road.
Leeds United fans waited patiently in January for a new signing to arrive, though none did. And the wait has gone on into this summer’s transfer window, albeit still in the very early stages of the window.
Rumours seem to have ramped up in the last week though with reports that Leeds United are in talks to sign Jaka Bijol from Udinese, in a deal that could cost the 49ers up to £17million this summer.
Elsewhere, Leeds United have submitted a £22million bid for Habib Diarra, though it looks like that pursuit has been quickly dampened with Diarra and his party wanting a move to one of the more elite clubs of Europe.
But it’s not to worry because Leeds United could be closing in on a deal to sign Alex Moreno from Aston Villa, after Junior Firpo’s move to Real Betis was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano this week.
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Recent reports revealed how Leeds United are in talks to sign Moreno from Aston Villa. The 32-year-old Spanish left-back could be the ideal replacement for Firpo, but Daniel Farke faces stern competition for his signature with a handful of Premier League clubs understood to be interested in Moreno.
And it’s easy to see why, given reports that Aston Villa only want £5million for Moreno. That could make him the perfect, cost-effective replacement for Firpo at Elland Road, and a move to West Yorkshire could soon materialise after the former Betis man posted a somewhat cryptic message on his Instagram page.
On his Instagram story, Moreno posted a picture of himself on a train with the caption (translated from Spanish): “When you have a farewell and you don’t know what awaits you.”
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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The one obstacle standing between Leeds United and Alex Moreno
Moreno remains under contract until 2026. But having spent last season out on loan with Nottingham Forest, where he failed to impress, it looks like Unai Emery is keen to get him off the books.
And Aston Villa fans don’t want to keep Moreno either, so an exit this summer seems highly likely.
But Leeds face one issue: wages. Per Salary Sport, Moreno earns a staggering £90,000-a-week at Villa, which would make him the highest-paid player at Elland Road. Speaking about the difficulty Leeds United face in signing Moreno, insider Graeme Bailey said: “I’d be surprised [if Leeds sign Moreno], he isn’t on small money… but Leeds are getting offered so many players, I’m told.”
But with Firpo off the books, and others looking likely to be sold on, Leeds United might have a lot of extra space on the wage bill to potentially sign new players this summer, and Farke knows that he desperately needs some full-backs.