Leeds United are interested in signing Real Valladolid attacker Gonzalo Plata but face increased competition from Newcastle United, according to Spanish publication Pucela Fichajes.
Plata, 22, starred for Ecuador at the Qatar World Cup and has been in scintillating form for Valladolid this season, and the interest from Elland Road has said to gone “red.
The Whites also hold an interest in Valladolid’s highly-touted full-back Ivan Fresneda, who is in high demand across Europe with clubs in France, England and Italy all said to be keen on securing his services. [AS]
According to Pucela Fichajes, the Spanish club would only sell either of the pair if they received a “very good offer” due to the number of teams interested in their star assets.
The report also states that Plata “does not look like he will leave Pucela in the winter market” although both Leeds and Newcastle “have marked him in red on their agenda.”
Talented duo
Both Plata and Fresneda look to be serious talents, and the latter could be a long-term solution to Leeds’ full-back dilemmas.
The youngster is in high demand so if the youngster is keen on a move to Elland Road, the club must snap him up before his valuation skyrockets.
The 18-year-old has represented Spain at Under-19 level and become a mainstay in La Liga so far this season, and although maybe not be first-team standard yet, he is surely a purchase with an eye on the future.
A move for Plata seems a little more unlikely in January, with the report stating he is happy to stay till the end of the season, but come the summer Leeds should be ready to strike.
During the World Cup Plata did his chance of a move no harm, proving himself a handful for opposing defences down the right wing.
The 22-year-old has an abundance of pace and trickery but is also a clinical finisher in front of goal, so could provide a perfect attacking option for Jesse Marsch’s side.
