Leeds United’s pursuit to sign an attacker before the deadline has seen them linked with a whole host of options, and Andrey Arshavin recently backed one name on Leeds’ list to leave this summer.
Leeds have already missed out on a number of attacking players. Igor Paixao has joined Marseille, while Chelsea have swooped for Facundo Buonanotte and it appears that Bilal El Khannouss is set for Stuttgart.
Leeds’ options are dwindling by the minute, with Daniel Farke desperate for more attacking quality before the end of the window. As the window approaches 24 hours from the deadline, nothing seems imminent.
One player that has been linked in recent days, after initially being touted with a move to Elland Road earlier in the window, is Krasnodar’s Armenian star Eduard Spertsyan. A renowned set-piece specialist.
Eduard Spertsyan (10) of Krasnodar seen in action during the
Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
What Andrey Arshavin said about Eduard Spertsyan in July
According to The Athletic’s Beren Cross, Spertsyan is one option Leeds could try to sign before the end of the window. Krasnodar are believed to be a club able to sell despite the ongoing situation in Russia.
Speaking at the end of July, former Arsenal player Andrey Arshavin – who is now deputy chairman at Zenit St. Petersburg – told Match TV he believes Spertsyan will leave Krasnodar before the end of the window.
“Spertsyan would play well in Europe. If he doesn’t change clubs now, he will leave in the winter. [Gaetan] Perrin can replace him. I believe Spertsyan should not be hindered if he wants to leave,” Arshavin said.
Andrey Arshavin during a Zenit match.
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Eduard Spertsyan’s numbers compared to Brenden Aaronson
At the moment, Leeds’ only natural no.10 remains Aaronson. The American encouraged frustration from supporters at Elland Road on Saturday, when he came off the bench as he chose to play backwards.
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There were a couple of bright moments from the £25m man, playing on the right flank. But Leeds need a whole lot better if they are going to play with an attacking midfielder and Spertsyan is certainly that.
Name Clubs Games Minutes Goals Assists Minutes per G+A
Eduard Spertsyan Krasnodar 153 11688 49 39 132.8
Brenden Aaronson LeedsSalzburgPhiladelphiaUnion Berlin 252 16592 32 28 276.5
Not only are Spertsyan’s much better than Aaronson’s, but the Armenian is excellent from set-pieces. An issue that desperately need sorting out at Elland Road, following Joe Rothwell’s summer departure.