Leeds United have entered into talks to sign Metz attacking midfielder Farid Boulaya this summer, according to Mohamed Toubache-TER.
Ça commence à devenir très sérieux pour @farid_boulaya !!
Leeds revient à la charge.
2 très bons clubs en Italie & en Espagne viennent de faire part de leur intérêt pr le milieu offensif du #FCMetz & international algérien !!Le joueur pourrait partir pr 4,5M€. #LUFC pic.twitter.com/g5nQvxBauz
— Mohamed TOUBACHE-TER (@MohamedTERParis) July 18, 2021
The trusted French source, often cited by GFFN, claims that a club from Spain and another from Italy have also registered their interest in the Algerian international.
Leeds can land Boulaya for around €4.5 million as he has just 12 months left on his current deal.
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The 28-year-old made it clear earlier this summer that he wants to leave for a club offering European football.
Leeds are currently not able to offer that, but director of football Victor Orta could still manage to convince him to move to Elland Road.
Boulaya ended last season with six goals and eight assists in 33 Ligue 1 appearances, and Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa could be keen on him to strengthen his attack.
The Whites want an attacker this summer and have been linked with Club Bruges’ Noa Lang while retaining interest in Manchester United’s Dan James, but the Metz star is an affordable option and fits the type of bargain signings Leeds love to make.
Although Boulaya plays primarily behind the striker, he can also play as a number 9 and on both wings, and Bielsa loves a versatile player.
The Algerian’s strengths include direct free-kicks, taking set-pieces, through balls, making key passes, long shots, dribbling, crossing and holding on to the ball, with his finishing and defensive contribution highlighted as weaknesses by whoscored.
Such a player could be a solid addition to the Leeds attack, and signing him is within their financial capabilities.
Read: 2021 Premier League transfers
