Report: Leeds want to sign South American international ‘known to score the occasional screamer’

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Leeds United have reportedly set their sights on Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes.

Ecuadorian website El Futbolero has claimed that the Whites have the Ecuador international on their radar.

Meanwhile, Ecuadorian journalist Andres Ponce has told Radio Diblu – as transcribed by Leeds Live – that ‘Europe is chasing’ Cifuentes.

And he mentioned the Whites and Brighton as two of the Premier League clubs reportedly keeping tabs on the 23-year-old.

Leeds have been very busy in the transfer window. The Whites have brought in seven new signings and selling three including Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

It doesn’t look as though Jesse Marsch is done just yet. Links between Leeds and players continue to appear ahead of deadline day.

While Leeds have already signed four new midfielders this summer, they’ve also moved some players on.

Obviously Phillips has left, while Jamie Shackleton has joined Millwall on loan.

In addition, Mateusz Klich is being linked with a departure from Elland Road.

So there’s potentially scope for Marsch and Victor Orta to bring another midfielder to Leeds.

‘One of the best’

Cifuentes has impressed at LAFC and certainly looks ready for the next big step in his career.

The former Celtic target has made 81 appearances for the MLS club, registering 12 goals and 14 assists.

Cifuentes also helped Ecuador’s Under-20s win the U20 South American Championship in 2019.

“He was the beating heart of the U20 side and I think he’s a terrific midfielder,” Tim Vickery told the Daily Record in 2020, before his move to Los Angeles FC.

“He’s strong, he’s got quality, he’s one of the best all-round midfielders, potentially, that I’ve seen come out of South America in a while.”

“A lively midfielder’

Leeds Live has also provided a scouting report on Cifuentes, calling him ‘an all-action, box-to-box midfielder.

‘His style is perhaps best summed up by his goal, assists and yellow card stats throughout his career.

‘In 106 first-team appearances across his career, Cifuentes has scored 13 goals, assisted 14 times and received 21 bookings.

‘He can impact games in the final third, but he can also disrupt play with his ability to cover the pitch at high speed.

‘The 23-year-old is a lively midfielder, who possesses great strength for a player who stands at 5’7″.

‘Being small in stature also means he can wriggle past players with ease, while he has been known to score the occasional screamer.’