OPINION
Leeds United have reportedly tabled a seven-figure bid for Jagiellonia enforcer Taras Romanchuk – and it could be an inspired move by manager Marcelo Bielsa.
The Daily Mail has reported that the Whites have seen a £1.2million offer for Romanchuk, 26, rejected by Jagiellonia, who finished second in Poland’s top-flight last season, but the Yorkshire giants should certainly try and stay in the race for the Poland international and return with an improved offer.
Bielsa is famed for playing midfielders at centre-back and while Leeds only have Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper as natural centre-backs, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Phil Hay has claimed that the Elland Road boss is currently happy with his defensive options apart from at left-back.
Romanchuk is an extremely solid defensive midfielder and helped Jagiellonia preserve one of the best defensive records in Poland last season.
It’s pretty clear that Bielsa’s plan is to play the Ukrainian-born ace in the defence, adding a ball-player to his back-line who is extremely mobile and can move the ball up the pitch.
Last season with Jagiellonia, Romanchuk wore the captain’s armband for most of his time on the pitch.
He scored six goals and supplied four assists in 38 appearances across all competitions, including the Europa League in which he found the net once in four games.
Leeds could strike gold with a move for Romanchuk as he seems to fit Bielsa’s philosophy perfectly, and add to that his experience of international football, European football and being in the running to win a title, is very much needed at Elland Road if the Whites were to table a better offer.
And at the end of the day, it looks as though the Poland international could be signed for a very small fee.