Beren Cross of Leeds Live has been discussing the reports linking Thiago Almada and Lucas Martinez Quarta with a move to Elland Road.
Almada is an attacking midfield player who currently plays his football for Velez Sarsfield in the Argentine Superliga. Despite being just 19-years-old, according to Transfermarkt.co.uk, the Argentine Under 20 international is currently valued at £16.2m. During the 2019/20 campaign, the Buenos Aires-born attacker contributed four goals in 22 league appearances (per Transfermarkt).
Lucas Martinez Quarta is a 24-year-old right-footed central defender who currently represents River Plate. He’s made 19 appearances in the Argentine Superliga during the 2019/20 campaign and is a regular for Marcelo Gallardo’s side. He is currently valued at £9m according to Transfermarkt.co.uk.
During a recent Q&A with some of the club’s supporters, the question regarding whether the Whites were looking to move for the aforementioned pair was put to the journalist who dismissed the rumours. He responded with:
“Led to believe Almada and Martinez Quarta are not being pursued at this stage. Feels like half of Argentina has been linked with ER [Elland Road] since promotion.”
TIF Thoughts…
Cross was very clear that to his understanding Leeds are not actively looking to bring either of the aforementioned players to the club this summer. With question marks over whether or not the club will be able to re-sign Ben White this summer, there is an argument to say that the Whites should be looking to add another central defender, however, it appears that Lucas Martinez Quarta is not that man.
Do you expect Marcelo Bielsa to dip into the Argentinian transfer market this summer?
Yes
No
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have already signed Illan Meslier and Helder Costa on permanent deals this summer. It is not yet known what exactly the club will be able to spend on transfers this summer having done those two deals, but at this stage, any rumours linking Thiago Almada to Elland Road are nothing more than paper talk.