Leeds United had reportedly made a move to sign a new player earlier in the window and could reaffirm that now to secure one last transfer this deadline day…
What’s the latest?
That’s according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, who spoke to GIVEMESPORT late last night on the Whites’ pursuit of Ayoze Perez.
The Leicester City forward has been well out of favour at the King Power and could be handed a new lease of life with a move to Yorkshire.
Do Leeds need Ayoze Perez?
Yes
No
Jacobs claimed:
“Leeds actually made an inquiry early in the window but didn’t follow up on it. And it’s again a classic example of a club that perhaps just leave something on the back-burner and then maybe is persuaded to move late in the window.”
That notion at the end of his claim is what suggests there is still life in this potential deal for director of football Victor Orta, having already taken one look at him this month.
Imagine him and Rutter
Having already secured the signing of Georginio Rutter earlier in this window, it is highly unlikely that the arrival of Perez would see him take precedence in the starting lineup.
The Spaniard has struggled of late for the Foxes and has seen his chances diminish with each passing season. This is particularly surprising given how the £45k-per-week dynamo started life after his £30m move from Newcastle United, with a respectable eight goals and four assists in the league.
However, it was on Tyneside where he truly excelled, especially in a strike partnership with Salomon Rondon.
The two quickly formed a deadly dynamic and terrorised plenty of Premier League defences with their physicality, work rate and clinical finishing.
As such, across 195 games for the Magpies, he scored 48 goals and assisted 17.
He could strike up a similar relationship with Rutter, who looked incredibly lively as he was welcomed to English football in the FA Cup. Against Accrington Stanley, he was successful in two of his three attempted dribbles, completed one key pass and, although he missed them, did well to fashion openings for two big chances (via Sofascore).
To add a tireless finisher like Perez beside the creativity of Rutter could be just as effective as the 29-year-old’s old partner in crime.
Always capable of producing something “special” – as lauded by Alan Pardew – his link-up with Rutter could be legendary in Jesse Marsch’s bid to ensure top-flight safety.
