Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images
Leeds United are in the mix for a number of midfielders, including deeper players and attacking midfielders as well.
Brenden Aaronson is the only out-and-out attacking midfielder contracted to Leeds United, and the USMNT star struggled in patches of last season’s Championship campaign.
The Whites have been prioritising taller players, who are more physically combative and athletic, which is needed to help close the quality gap to other Premier League teams.
Another player of that nature is the 6’3″ attacking midfielder Christantus Uche of Spanish side Getafe CF. It was reported previously that Leeds are willing to activate Uche’s £21 million clause, but with Brighton also being linked.
Christantus Uche ahead of making his Nigeria debut.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Christantus Uche not training amid interest from Leeds
Reports later on in the window then claimed that Leeds had intensified talks for Uche, and got further along than other interested duo Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United.
Uche’s agent has talked up a summer transfer for the Nigerian international, but nothing concrete has materialised until today’s latest update.
A report from Spanish outlet AS (page 10, Tuesday 15th July) claims that Uche has had genuine interest expressed from Leeds, Wolves, and Brighton.
On Monday, Getafe travelled to Valencia for pre-season training and AS report that he wasn’t part of the group. The 22-year-old also didn’t train with his teammates last week, with his future up in the air.
The report claims that he has offers from Italy, but his desire is to move to the Premier League. AS states Uche is expected to move to England and Leeds, Wolves, and Brighton are the primary suitors currently.
Uche can operate as a box-to-box midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or as a number-nine. He has plenty of the desired attributes and the potential and propensity to improve further as well.
Christantus Uche frustrated as Getafe struggle against Celta Vigo.
Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Uche praise from Jose Bordalas
Jose Bordalas has spoken previously about Uche following the club’s survival last month and ahead of his first Nigeria cap. The Spanish gaffer admitted it was a risk to sign him given his lack of top-tier experience.
But, he has proven to be a great piece of business and one which might turn them a huge profit this summer. He described Uche as “fabulous” as per Infobiwenger: “He’s a fabulous kid, we have a lot of affection for him. All players go through a process.
“He reached professional football without going through any stages. It was difficult for him. We tried to help, he helped us. It was a risky gamble; there’s room for improvement, but he’s had a great season.”
Indeed, there is interest in Uche from Leeds, Brighton and other big-hitters around Europe. But the latest makes a move look imminent, be that to Leeds or elsewhere.