Leeds mustn’t miss out on ace compared to Raheem Sterling as rival suitors see £12m bid snubbed – TBR View

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With Leeds United preparing for their long-awaited Premier League return, a good summer transfer window could make all the difference in the Whites’ hopes of hitting the ground running.

There are many avenues to be explored – overseas talents playing for modest clubs or in modest leagues, players surplus to requirements at other Premier League clubs, or English Football League gems, to name but a few.

In terms of the latter, one of the brightest young stars in the EFL is Queens Park Rangers winger Eberechi Eze, and he has been linked with a switch to Elland Road.

The Sun reported in late July that Leeds plan to make a bid for the 22-year-old.

Indeed, the Whites apparently told QPR at the start of the year that they would make an offer for the £20million-rated ace if they got promoted.

Eze has developed massively over the past few years, culminating in an impressive 2019-20 season during which he claimed 14 goals and eight assists in 46 Championship games.

Marcelo Bielsa has reportedly identified the England Under-21 international as the “creative spark” that his team will need next season.

However, Eze appears to be a man in demand – a Sky Sports report from Monday night reported that Crystal Palace have had a bid in excess of £12million turned down.

Things seem to be moving quickly in terms of suitors making their moves and, although £12million is short of the reported £20million valuation, it still shows that Leeds must act quickly.

So many plaudits have gone Eze’s way – QPR director of football Les Ferdinand told the Beautiful Game podcast earlier this year: “When I see some of the things he does on the football, and how comfortable he is on the football, I put him up there with one of the best I’ve seen.”

Meanwhile, former QPR assistant manager Marc Bircham told Sky Sports last year: “He goes past players easier than Raheem Sterling did. Sterling would beat players with pace or do a trick or a chop – it’s all dynamic movements, but Ebere Eze just glides past players.”