Leeds United should avoid Jeremain Lens, who was called ‘disgracefully disrespectful’ by David Moyes

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According to reports in Turkey, Leeds United are reportedly keen on a move for Dutch winger Jeremain Lens.

It was already known that Leeds had representatives present at the UEFA Europa League clash between Norwegian side Sarpsborg and Besiktas on Thursday night. What was not known was who they were keen on.

Now, Fotomac report that the Dutch international was the reason behind the visit. They suggest Leeds were impressed by the player. The same was reported by Sevdamiz, who suggest a €4 million (£3.55 million) transfer fee for the player.

On paper, it seems a good move for Leeds.

Lens has five goals and six assists for Besiktas this season. Capped by the Dutch national team 34 times he was a regular for the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup under Louis van Gaal.

However, his time at Sunderland should put Leeds off signing him. Not so much for his actions on the pitch, although he was hardly pulling up roots at the Stadium of Light. But more his actions off it should have Leeds wary.

He publicly admitted that he hoped Sunderland would get relegated whilst out on loan at Fenerbahce. It left then Sunderland boss David Moyes furious and the Scot openly lambasted the Dutchman.

“It’s disgracefully disrespectful to the club which holds his registration. You would hate to think that anybody who was connected to a club had said that.”

– David Moyes publicly slams Lens in 2016

That came after he fell out of the Sunderland team following a refusal to participate in a post-match warm-down in December 2015.

As reported by the Daily Mail, he did not impress staff at Sunderland, including teammates, with his ‘general application’ in training and matches.

By the sounds of it, he is not a player Marcelo Bielsa would want to put up with. Hopefully, these rumours stay as just that.