According to the latest reports from TuttoMercatoWeb, Leeds United are one of the clubs interested in securing the signature of Justin Lonwijk. The 19-year-old currently plies his trade for Eredivisie outfit PSV Eindhoven and apart from the Whites, clubs from the Bundesliga and Serie A are also interested.
The reports add that Eintracht Frankfurt have already made contact with the midfielder. Italian heavyweights AS Roma are also keen on the teenager. Apart from that, PSV themselves are looking to tie down the young midfielder on a new contract as he has already entered the final few months of his deal.
The u-19 Netherland international is yet to make a senior team appearance for PSV but it is clear that he is highly rated across Europe as quite a few clubs seem interested in him. The fact that Lonwijk is available on a free transfer makes him an even more exciting option.
Lonwijk is typically an attacking midfielder who can fill in as a secondary striker and as a central midfielder as well when required. Therefore one can understand why Marcelo Bielsa seems to be interested in this playmaker as Leeds United currently lack an outright no. 10.
The Argentine manager has had to adapt with his team choices throughout the season and currently the attacking midfield spot is being occupied by Tyler Roberts who is a striker by trade. Since the departure of Samuel Saiz in January; Bielsa has used Kemar Roofe, Roberts and Pablo Hernandez in that role.
Clubs like AS Roma might be the frontrunners to pull of a signing like this, but one cannot count out Leeds United given the way Bielsa has given chances to youngsters this season. The Whites are also fighting hard to make it to the Premier League via the automatic promotion spots so Lonwijk might get the opportunity to play in the Premier League by next season if he moves to the Yorkshire club.
However, failing to move to the Premier League can make a whole lot of difference in the transfer market and other clubs might become the frontrunner to sign this talented playmaker. Attacking midfielders are often a rare breed as it takes a certain level of intelligence to thrive in such a position.
Lonwijk has that impressive pass picking abilities, and the Dutchman isn’t too shoddy in front of goal as well as he has a decent scoring record at the youth level. All in all, he looks like a talented player coming through and Leeds United can look to sign him given that they lack options in the attacking midfield position.
