Leeds United
Premier League • England
Leeds United target hits superb hat-trick, as reliable source pushes prospect of surprise deadline-day transfer
Leeds United could be ready to make a last-ditch, deadline-day move for Brazilian striker Pedro, according to a reliable source.
Whites boss Jesse Marsch has bolstered his attacking options with the arrivals of Luis Sinisterra and Brenden Aaronson this season. But with a big question mark hanging over the fitness of Patrick Bamford, Marsch is keen for other options.
Bamford got a run-out from the bench in the draw with Everton on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old got a 14-minute cameo, but Marsch had earlier been hit by an injury to top scorer Rodrigo.
Rodrigo, who has netted four goals so far this season, dislocated his shoulder after trying to beat Jordan Pickford to a through ball. The Brazilian-born forward is likely to see a sustained spell on the sidelines.
Asked if he was looking for additions on Tuesday night, Marsch said: “Yeah, I think we’re still remaining optimistic and active.”
And Fabrizio Romano has suggested Flamengo forward Pedro or, to give him his full title Pedro Guilherme Abreu dos Santos, is of interest to United.
Hat-trick hero
Romano told Givemesport: “I’m told that the player they have been monitoring for a long time is Pedro from Flamengo, the Brazilian striker.
“But the problem with South American transfers is the timing. Of course, now we’re close to the end of the window, so they need to be fast if they want to do a South American deal.”
The 25-year-old has scored seven goals in just eight starts in the Brazilian Serie A this season. He has also chipped in with three assists and 11 goals in the Copa Libertadores, including four in one game against Deportes Tolima.
He also netted a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 4-0 Libertadores semi-final first-leg win over Velez Sarsfield. And if Leeds scouts were present they cannot have failed to have been impressed.
Wolves, Southampton and Crystal Palace have also been linked with the striker.
The Brazilian’s current deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2025, but there is interest from Europe.
Rival interest in Pedro
Guillem Balague said in March there was plenty of interested suitors for the player. The journalist said: “Flamengo doesn’t sell to rivals, but would sell to European clubs for around $20m. And there are clubs looking at him: Betis, Sevilla, Brighton, Southampton, Wolves, Palace.”
That £17m price tag may well have risen given Pedro’s recent form and the interest in him.
Pedro has tasted European football previously with Fiorentina in Serie A. Pedro joined the Italian club on a five-year contract in September 2019, but his time there was short.
He made just four appearances and returned to Brazil with Flamengo on loan the following January. He then penned a permanent deal with the Rio-based club in January 2020 for a fee of around €15m.
If Leeds are to get a deal done they will have had to have been working on a deal in the background. The Whites will have a lot to get over the line before tonight’s 11pm deadline.