Ronaldo Vieira’s latest comments suggest Leeds United had to sell him

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This week has seen Ronaldo Vieira discussing his move from Leeds United this summer. The England youth star left Leeds for Italian football, joining Sampdoria. The Genoa-based club paid an initial fee reported by The Guardian to be in the region of £6.2 million for his services.

It was a surprise move, seemingly coming out of the blue. However, speaking to Football Italia, the Guinea-Bissau born talent revealed that Sampdoria had wanted him for the past ‘two years.’

He also made it clear that he decided the move was for the best, not just for Leeds, but for him.

“I had had a good first season at Leeds, but the second didn’t go so well. But when I spoke to the [sporting] director he told me they’d had their eyes on me for a long time now.

“It came about almost too quickly for me, I just decided what was best for Leeds as a club and what was best for me, and decided to take the jump.”

– Ronaldo Vieira on his Leeds exit

It certainly now appears that Vieira had pushed for the transfer. In the past it seemed that Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was not overly keen on the player, simply deciding that Kalvin Phillips and Mateusz Klich were the better options. That, it seems, may just be part of the reasoning.

Leeds wanted money to invest in the team and Vieira was going for a decent fee. The player himself then appeared keen to head abroad and Leeds took full advantage of the decision.

When Vieira left many Leeds fans were left disappointed by the youngster’s exit, wondering why Leeds decided to sell him.

But as time has gone on it appears Vieira was pushing for the move and Leeds made the right call letting him go. Considering their form so far this season, it is hard to disagree.