Leeds United are reporetdly interested in signing 23-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder Jose Cifuentes from LAFC.
Leeds United are looking to add to their squad during the January transfer window. And 23-year-old South American midfielder Jose Cifuentes has been identified as a potential target, according to Mach Deportes.
The Ecuadorian midfielder will be out of contract at the end of the season, and he is likely to be available for a nominal price next month. LAFC will not want to lose the player as a free agent at the end of the season. It makes sense for them to cash in on him now.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old has been a key player for LAFC and it will be interesting to see how the MLS outfit replaces him. Cifuentes has seven goals and eight assists to his name across all competitions this season. The player was also on Leeds United’s radar in the summer transfer window.
Cifuentes has already proven himself in American football, and he could be tempted to try his luck in England now. He did well at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Ecuador as well despite playing just 58 minutes in two group games.
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch has an encyclopedic knowledge of the MLS, and he will know all about the 23-year-old midfielder. It will be interesting to see if he can convince the player to move to Leeds in the coming weeks.
A move to England will be a major step up in the player’s career but he seems ready for it. And Leeds could do with a complete midfielder like him who will help out defensively and chip in with goals and assists as well.
The 23-year-old can operate as the central midfielder and in an advanced role as well. His versatility will be an added bonus for Marsh and Leeds if the Whites manage to get the deal over the line. Cifuentes will be determined to make his mark in English football during the second half of the Premier League, and it remains to be seen whether he can adapt quickly if a deal goes through.
Leeds certainly have the resources to tempt LAFC into selling the South American midfielder next month, and a transfer seems ideal for all parties involved. But Cifuentes is not the only midfielder on the Whites’ radar, with Azzedine Ounahi also a target.
