Why Leeds United should go back in the market for Lucas Alario
According to TYC Sports via TEAMtalk (h/t Leeds Live), Leeds United were interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen striker Lucas Alario during the summer transfer window, as revealed by the player himself.
As per the report, the Argentine has confirmed that he had learned about the Whites’ interest in his services from his agent, although the player admitted to having no official contact with Marcelo Bielsa over a potential move to Elland Road.
Profile
Lucas Alario started his professional career with Atletico Colon in Argentina and scored 12 goals in 60 appearances for his boyhood club before earning a move to domestic heavyweights River Plate in June 2015. The 28-year-old went on to enjoy a trophy-laden spell at River Plate, winning the Copa Libertadores, Recopa Sudamericana, and Copa Argentina twice.
He bagged an impressive 41 goals in 82 appearances for River Plate, which paved the way for a move to Europe with Bayer Leverkusen in 2017. Alario hasn’t been a regular starter at Leverkusen but has excelled as a key squad player in Germany, scoring 43 goals and supplying 13 assists in 106 appearances.
Alario made his senior international debut for Argentina in 2016 and has accumulated 3 goals in 8 appearances for his nation so far.
Alario would be a great addition to Leeds’ attack
The report claims that Lucas Alario may have been an alternative option for eventual signing Rodrigo Moreno at Elland Road in the summer. Well if that’s really the case, then it has to be said that Leeds United missed a trick by not making a move for the Argentine hitman.
While Rodrigo has struggled to acclimatise to life in England for the second time in his career, Alario has continued to fire on all cylinders at Leverkusen. The 28-year-old has bagged 5 goals in 5 league appearances in the Bundesliga so far. His rich vein of form will surely leave the Leeds fans wondering as to why he wasn’t added to Marcelo Bielsa’s squad in the summer.
Patrick Bamford had been written off as a striker not good enough for the PL by several critics before the start of the season. But the former Chelsea man has exceeded all expectations so far, scoring 7 goals in 8 games, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa.
However, his lacklustre performance in the recent 4-1 defeat against Leicester City was a timely reminder that Bamford is not the most consistent of strikers in English football. With Tyler Roberts still not experienced enough to make a big impact in the top-flight, Leeds would be better off looking for another out-and-out striker to ensure healthy competition in the team.
Having said that, the Whites should make a renewed attempt to sign Lucas Alario from Bayer Leverkusen. The Argentine international boasts an impressive track record of goals and assists in the Bundesliga despite limited game time. He has proven his mettle against some of the best teams in Germany. He already has more than 200 club career appearances under his belt.
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Verdict
Taking those factors into consideration, the 28-year-old certainly seems to have the pedigree to make a big impact in the Premier League. He still has several years remaining in his prime and would offer Bielsa a quality alternative to Bamford in front of goal.
Leeds need to sort out their squad depth issues in January and going back in the market for Lucas Alario would go a long way towards achieving that.
