Leeds reportedly want 26-year-old attacker that raved about Bielsa in 2020

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds are reportedly ‘thought to be keen’ on Lucas Ocampos this summer as the Argentine continues to shine at Sevilla – and his comments from 2020 on Marcelo Bielsa might prove he could be tempted with a reunion at Elland Road.

Ocampos, 26, joined Sevilla in the summer of 2019 from French club Marseille – where he was signed by Bielsa initially on loan in January 2015 before that move was made permanent before Bielsa left. His best form came during 2019-20.

Indeed, the five-time Argentina international had a hand in 22 goals during 44 appearances – scoring 17 and creating five – as Sevilla surpassed the likes of Wolves and Inter Milan to win the Europa League trophy. They beat Inter 3-2 in the final.

Now, The Mail claims Leeds are keen while Liverpool are also said to be interested in a player that boasts a £56million release clause in his contract. But his comments on Bielsa suggest he could be tempted to work with the Leeds boss again.

“It was unique to be managed by Bielsa,” Ocampos told TyC Sports in 2020. “For me he was one of the greatest managers I have had. He is like the teacher in La Casa de Papel [Money Heist, a Netflix series].”

TBR’s view – Leeds would need to negotiate well with Sevilla

Clearly, Leeds or Liverpool are not going to activate his release clause and a sale will only go through if Sevilla are willing to negotiate a fee considerably smaller than that exit clause. Leeds will have to work hard in the summer to get him.

If a fee of around £40million is engineered – perhaps not all up front initially – then Leeds would be getting themselves a good deal. However, even that figure is more than £10million above their club-record signing in Rodrigo.