Leeds plot bid for £6m star who's a "one-man army"

Leeds United are claiming automatic return to the Premier League for a second time and currently sit second in the Championship table.

They retained their place in the top two after drawing 1-1 with Preston North End at Deepdale on Saturday thanks to Jack Whatmaugh’s stoppage-time own goal.

Daniel Falke’s side finished third in the league last season but lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final and the German manager does not want to play in the play-offs again.

The January transfer window officially opens next month and Leeds could be in the market to bolster their squad ahead of the second half of the season.

Leeds United eye teenage midfielder

Reported by reporter Ellen Nixonvia his Patreon, as Rebroadcast by 72Falke is planning for Leeds to sign Sporting CP defensive midfielder Dario Esugo in January.

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Reports claim that the Whites are interested in a deal for the 19-year-old star, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas in La Liga, after they failed to land him in the summer transfer window.

They are now said to be hoping for second luck for them in their pursuit of the young gem as they look to strengthen their midfield options.

The outlet adds that Sporting CP are willing to cancel his loan at Las Palmas and send him to Leeds United, but only if they agree to take him on loan and are obliged to make his loan permanent for a fee of £6 million in the summer.

While it remains to be seen whether the Whites are willing to sanction a deal on those terms, Esugo could become a strong addition to the squad alongside Ao Tanaka in midfield.

Why Dario Essugo can thrive with Ao Tanaka

The player, on loan from Las Palmas, has caught the eye with his performances in La Liga this season and his defensive abilities could free up the Japan international to play in a more advanced position.

With Ethan Ampadu recovering, Farke has plenty of options in midfield, and signing Esugo would allow him to line up alongside the teenager in midfield as captain, with Tanaka pushing further forward.

japanese stars Produced seven goals Contributed 3 assists in the Bundesliga last season, but only scored 18 assists and 1 assist games in the tournament, suggesting he may have more to offer offensively.

As you can see in the table above, based on Esugou’s performances in Spain’s top flight, he is tops among Leeds midfielders in terms of tackles and interceptions combined per game (4.1), as well as clearances and duels won per game frequency.

These statistics point to him being a defensive monster in midfield, something backed up by scout Jacek Kulig, who once described him as “one man army“, he can allow Tanaka to play in the frontcourt because he can constantly disrupt the opponent’s offense.

This can provide Leeds with the defensive security of Ampadu and Esugo, while also hoping to add more goals to the team by helping Tanaka rediscover the scoring feeling he had in Dusseldorf.