Football website Jeunes Footeux claim that Leeds United and Aston Villa are battling to sign AZ Alkmaar striker Vangelis Pavlidis ahead of the summer window – with the Greece international valued at a whopping £22million.
Pavlidis, 24, has been on fire in the top tier of Dutch football this season. AZ are still in with a shout of qualifying for Champions League football come the end of the season and 29-time Greece striker Pavlidis has been key to that.
He was an instant hit. Last season, Pavlidis played 51 times in his first season for AZ and clocked up 25 goals – while laying on seven assists. His form has continued this term, scoring 19 goals and creating 10 more in just 29 games.
Little surprise, then, following his two wonderful seasons with AZ – that Premier League interest is being generated. Jeunes Footeux say Leeds and Villa are ‘closely following’ Pavlidis. But they will have to part with a fee of £22million.
Leeds and Villa battling to sign AZ striker Vangelis Pavlidis in summer
Clearly, Leeds and Villa are going to be in the market for a new striker this summer. Leeds could do with another up top. Patrick Bamford’s injuries are a concern, while Rodrigo has been on fire – but his contract ends in June 2024.
Georgie Rutter is yet to get going – and the Frenchman is also able to play out wide. Joe Gelhardt has managed only one goal in 10 at Sunderland on loan. So, a talismanic striker in the form of his life in Pavlidis could really help Leeds.
But Villa certainly have the spending power to outdo Leeds. It remains to be seen if the interest becomes concrete but Leeds and Villa are keeping tabs on the Greek ace and it is likely that more Premier League clubs become keen.
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