An update has emerged regarding Leeds United’s interest in PSV Eindhoven forward Noni Madueke.
What’s the talk?
According to the Evening Standard, the Whites are among a number of clubs interested in signing the 19-year-old this summer.
The report claims that Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Bayern Munich are also chasing the England under-21 international, who left Spurs to join PSV in 2018.
Costa replacement
Last month, Football Insider reported that Jorge Mendes is working on a potential transfer for Leeds winger Helder Costa. The former Wolves man is now surplus to requirements at Elland Road, with Marcelo Bielsa ready to green-light a deal and Mendes eyeing up a La Liga switch for Costa.
He managed three goals and three assists in 23 appearances for the club last term, with two goals and one assist coming in the first two matches. This suggests that Leeds will need a player to come in and replace him this summer, as he was unable to provide consistent quality in the top flight.
Madueke could be that player. Victor Orta must secure a deal for the flyer in the coming weeks as he could be a terrific addition to the squad and add more goals and assists than Costa was able to provide. In the 2020/21 campaign, Madueke was directly involved in 14 goals in 11 starts for PSV, with 10 goals and four assists to his name.
Former England under-21 head coach Aidy Boothroyd called him a “powerhouse” and highlighted his ability to score and create goals. The 50-year-old said: “He’s a powerhouse of a player, technically very good, left-footed and likes to come in off the side of the pitch, off the right and go and link.
“He’s got a goal in him, he’s very creative. He’s got a massive smile, a lovely kid. The lads have taken to him, as they would because he’s a good player, he has that respect for what he’s done at PSV.”This shows that he could have the potential to come in and make an impact in the Premier League for Leeds. Although it is difficult to judge the bridge in quality between England and the Netherlands, Boothroyd clearly feels that the winger has the quality to make it at the top, and he still has time on his side to improve further.Madueke is eight years younger than Costa, so he has the potential to develop as he gains more experience in his career, whereas the current Leeds forward should be in his prime years and is not delivering the goods. Therefore, Bielsa could work with the 19-year-old PSV talent on the training ground to mould him into the perfect winger for his system.This is why the teenager could be the perfect replacement for Costa, as he has shown that he has the potential to improve upon his goals and assists tallies. He could also have long-term value for the club, as he could be sold on for a profit in the future if Bielsa is able to help him take his game to the next level.AND in other news, Exclusive: Carlton Palmer refuses to rule out Leeds move for speed demon amid Phil Hay claim…
