Bayer Leverkusen star confirms Leeds United made summer approach

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Lucas Alario has told TYC Sports that Leeds United made an approach for the Bayer Leverkusen striker in the summer, confirming that the Whites had made contact with his agent and the Bundesliga club – but did not follow that up.

Leeds did make a signing from the Bundesliga in the summer, in the form of defender Robin Koch from Freiburg. Raphinha, Rodrigo and Diego Llorente also arrived from Rennes, Valencia and Real Sociedad respectively.

Alario, 28, joined Leverkusen in the summer of 2017 from River Plate and scored 36 goals in three seasons prior to this campaign. A decent striker, but hardly tearing up trees. That has changed this season.

Alario has netted seven goals in eight games, scoring five in his last three Bundesliga outings. The eight-time Argentina international confirmed that Leeds had made an approach, but nothing more than initial enquiries with Bayer and his agent.

“I had no contact nor did I speak with Marcelo. I know about the rumour because my representative told me, but it was only an approach,” Alario said. “They asked my representative and then the club, but then it didn’t advance much further.”

TBR’s view – Alario is a top, top striker

One with proven top-tier quality. One with Argentina caps. One with the ability score goals with the ball at his feet, but also boasts the aerial prowess and power to shine. He is a far better striker than Patrick Bamford.

Signed for £21.5million (AP News), Alario is likely to cost a whole lot more given his current form and his goalscoring record since moving to Germany. While he is a better option than Bamford, can Leeds really afford to buy a player of his quality?

While Bamford continues to score goals in England’s top tier, Leeds should look to hold off.