Leeds memorably made an ambitious attempt to sign Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese back in the summer of 2020.
After Marcelo Bielsa won the 2019/20 Championship title, Leeds got to work in the transfer market and found some real gems – such as Raphinha and Rodrigo – while also holding advanced talks over Josko Gvardiol, which agonisingly ended up collapsing.
However, Bielsa never got his central attacking midfielder as Udinese priced De Paul out of a move to Elland Road, despite the Argentine wanting to join.
Leeds were later relegated in 2023 shortly after the South American won the World Cup in December 2022, but the Whites could now get closure with a move for a vastly similar profile of player in Martin Baturina.
Leeds United can land Rodrigo De Paul 2.0 in Martin Baturina
Fabrizio Romano claims Leeds have made a move for Baturina – a player who can boast many similarities to De Paul.
Which player would you be happy for Leeds to sell in January to fund their transfer business? Let us know in the comments… 🤔💰
The likes of Joel Piroe and Willy Gnonto are struggling to force their way into Farke's plans.
Back in that summer of 2020, De Paul was a highly talented attacking midfielder who had just enjoyed a strong 2019/20 campaign – scoring seven goals and providing seven assists in 35 appearances.
Similarly, Baturina – who some compare to Luka Modric – has done likewise to alert Leeds.
The Croatia international scored six goals and provided 12 assists in 45 games last term to put his name up in lights, earning a €25m (£21m) move to Como in June 2025.
De Paul is more of a flat central midfielder nowadays, but in 2020 when Bielsa was all over him, the Argentina international was a hugely entertaining attacking midfielder in Serie A with international experience, exactly the profile of Baturina – who can boast 15 caps for Croatia at the time of writing.
De Paul later joined Atletico Madrid for £30m in July 2021 just 12 months after Bielsa’s interest and quickly became a superstar in Europe, so if Leeds fail to sign Baturina in the upcoming January, they have been warned about what can happen.
Martin Baturina would be able to play in a 3-5-2 under Daniel Farke at Leeds United
With Daniel Farke impressively switching to a 3-5-2 recently, some might question where a natural No.10 such as Baturina fits in, given the lack of such a position in that system.
Do you think Martin Baturina would be a good signing? 🔥
Baturina scores screamer and assists as Dinamo Zagreb draw 2-2 with Monaco.
However, the 22-year-old has previous experience of playing as a striker, a flat central midfielder and even as a left wing-back, so there are many ways he can fit into the 3-5-2 if a January agreement with Como materialises.
| Position | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attacking Midfield | 109 | 17 | 27 |
| Central Midfield | 12 | 0 | 4 |
| Left Winger | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Right Winger | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Striker | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Defensive Midfield | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Left Midfield | 1 | 0 | 0 |
It will be tough to convince Como to part with Baturina just six months after signing him from Dinamo Zagreb, but if the 49ers can pull it off, Leeds fans have every right to be seriously excited.
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