Leeds United reportedly want to raid MLS club LAFC for Ecuador international Jose Cifuentes, who would cost a bargain €6.5 million this summer.
Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes to Elland Road this summer. That is according to Ecuadorian outlet Radio Diblu FM, who claim that Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds are among a host of European clubs interested in a summer swoop for the in-demand 23-year-old.
Despite losing Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City and Raphinha to Barcelona, the Whites have enjoyed a brilliant summer transfer window. Leeds have identified their targets and moved swiftly to secure their services, with seven new faces arriving through the door. The squad now looks more balanced, and it has depth in almost every position, which was necessary after they narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season.
The Whites are not done yet with their business, with suggestions that the next priority for Leeds will be to sign a striker, a player who can provide strong competition for Patrick Bamford. However, with Mateusz Klich linked with a move away from Elland Road this summer, Leeds might need another midfield reinforcement.
The Poland international, who has two years left on his deal, featured in Leeds’s Premier League opener, but he is set to soon depart from Elland Road, as per The Athletic. This could leave Leeds stranded for a potential replacement. But it looks like Jesse Marsch will once again turn to his American links for another bargain transfer before the window slams shut, with Jose Cifuentes emerging on their radar.
The 23-year-old is currently plying his trade with LAFC, having joined them from Ecuadorian side América de Quito in January 2020. To date, he has managed 12 goals and 12 assists in 69 outings in MLS. Regarded as one of the best midfielders in the MLS, his performances have not gone unnoticed in Europe, particularly at Leeds.
The report adds that, with the Ecuador international’s current deal at the Banc of California Stadium is set to expire in the winter of 2023, the MLS outfit are understood to be demanding a cut-price fee in the region of €6.5 million to part ways with the in-demand midfielder.
Cifuentes could be a shrewd option for Leeds should Klich end up leaving. The 23-year-old enforcer has the range of passing to operate in a deeper midfield role but likes to drive forward, making him a natural box-to-box midfielder. Whether Leeds can beat out the competition to secure his signature remains to be seen.
