According to the latest reports from Leeds Live, Leeds United are said to be in the front row to seal the signing of midfielder Michael Folorunsho. He plies his trade in the Italian third division for Virtus Francavilla. Andrea Radrizzani’s contacts are reportedly leading the deal in Italy.
Leeds United would be one of the favourites to win promotion next season after they came perilously close in their last campaign. The Whites are looking to bolster their squad to give Marcelo Bielsa a good chance to work his magic on this team.
The report adds that Folorunsho wouldn’t cost much given that he is coming from Serie C and he is still largely an unknown name in the football circuit. The midfielder managed to score seven goals last season in the Serie C in 31 appearances. The Whites should look to add more depth to their squad as they had to promote quite a few youngsters to the first team because of injuries.
Does Leeds United need a midfielder?
Mateusz Klich started in every game in the Championship for the West Yorkshire outfit last season. Midfield is known to be a high-intensity position, and Bielsa’s footballing style also requires extra effort as he wants his team to press high and win back the ball quickly. Therefore it is necessary to rotate the players to keep them fresh given the strenuous run of fixtures of the Championship.
But, Bielsa wasn’t able to do that as he only had Adam Forshaw as the other midfield option who even acted as a cover for Kalvin Phillips in the defensive midfield position. Young talent Jamie Shackleton showed that he could do a decent job in midfield so he might get more regular opportunities next season. Nevertheless, the club should look add a central midfielder to take the burden off Klich.
Forlunsho came up from Lazio’s academy, and he is yet to play at a higher level as his only appearances have been for youth and reserve teams, and in the Serie C. Nevertheless, he had an impressive campaign and has caught the eye of Leeds scouts.
The Whites should aim higher
However, for a team trying to move to the English top flight, the Whites should show more ambition in the transfer market. We can be proven wrong as the Italian might turn out to be a shrewd signing, but not much is known about this Roma born player. Stepping up from third division in Italy to move to England could be a big ask, but maybe Bielsa and Co have spotted something in him which would make him a success at Elland Road.
