Leeds United will be looking to bring in Gonzalo Plata as a replacement for either Raphinha or Jack Harrison if they leave Elland Road, according to journalist Conor McGilligan.
As a result of Leeds’s terrible season under Jesse Marsch, there have been a lot of rumours around the incomings and outgoings at Elland Road this summer, with former RB Salzburg attacking midfielder Brendan Aaronson already coming through the door, while Raphinha, Jack Harrison, and Kalvin Phillips have been linked with moves away.
The latter two have been hotly linked with moves, with Raphinha linked to Barcelona and Harrison to Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Considering these links, it is not surprising that Leeds has been looking at potential replacements for the player, with McGilligan revealing Sporting Lisbon’s Plata as the potential candidate.
He said on his One Leeds Fan Channel on YouTube, “Gonzalo Plata, he is a winger, a number 10 and he’s extremely exciting, very, very exciting. Very similar in terms of profile to what Raphinha was… he’s got a decent return this season when it comes to assists and goals and it looks like Leeds allegedly might be moving for him if Jack Harrison or Raphinha move on”. (2:40)
Will Leeds sign Plata?Yes
No
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TIF Thoughts on Plata to Leeds…
Replacing one of Raphinha or Jack Harrison is going to be very difficult for the Whites as both finished as their top and second-highest goalscorers in the Premier League season, finishing with 11 and 10 goals respectively, also the only two to hit double digits.
However, targeting the Ecuadorian could be the answer for the whites as the 21-year-old impressed during his loan at Valladolid in La Liga 2. He helped the Spanish side to finish joint first, level on points with Almeria, where he managed to rack up six goals and five assists in his 31 appearances for them.
The Ecuador international is currently rated at £4.5 million, according to Transfermarkt, but could potentially be bought for around €10million, which is the purchase option that Valladolid has on his loan contract. Getting him or this price could be a steal in years to come while it would also allow them to spread out any potential fee for Raphinha or Harrison around the squad, which they need to address.