OPINION
New Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa must go all out this summer to tie up a deal for Ragnar Sigurdsson after the Icelandic international played an absolute blinder against Argentina.
Not only did the centre-back play one of the best games of his career but he also kept the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi, in his back pocket throughout the 90 minutes as the Scandinavians earned a 1-1 draw against the South Americans.
The 31-year-old, whose contract with Russian side RK Rostov finishes at the end of this month, would not only be one of the bargains of the summer based on the fact that he is available for nothing but he would also fit in perfectly at Elland Road under Bielsa’s regime.
The Argentinian manager is widely known to be a fan of going on an all-out attack, even when his side is not in possession of the ball, which is exactly what Sigurdsson showed he is more than capable of during the match.
And that’s not forgetting that the enforcer already has some experience in the Championship having already played for Fulham prior to his move to the Russian club.
If the 62-year-old can get the 6ft 1in (source: Transfermarkt) Icelandic international to replicate that kind of form in the Championship, then the Whites will be getting their hands on a player who is capable of catapulting them into the Premier League.
Therefore the clubs must do all they can to snap up a player who would be a perfect centre-back partner for Pontus Jansson next season.