The lack of new signings at Leeds United in the winter window may have led to some frustration, but the chances of a repeat scenario come the summer look slim indeed.
Leeds, presuming promotion back to the Premier League can be achieved, will go big in the off-season.
A centre-forward is almost certain to arrive – Leeds were linked with Evann Guessand, Wilson Isidor and Josh Sargent this week – while the Yorkshire giants are also likely to bring in a left-back with Junior Firpo out of contract and attracting interest from former employers Real Betis.
Daniel Farke made no secret of his desire for a ‘number ten’ in January either. Promotion back to the big time should open the door to a higher class of target, while also giving the club’s pulling power a considerable boost.
Eduard Spertsyan would relish Premier League football at Leeds. By his own admission, the £10 million-rated Krasnodar captain is keen on a reunion with his former coach Farke. Emi Buendia may jump at the chance to join too, providing Bayer Leverkusen do not trigger the purchase clause in his contract.
But where does Alvyn Sanches stand on a potential switch from Lausanne Sport to Leeds United?
Alvyn Sanches’ agent explains what Leeds United must offer
Speaking to Swiss publication Blick, Sanches’ agent – Fahd Adamson – opened up on his client’s next step.
It is no secret that Alvyn Sanches plans to leave Lausanne Sport in the summer – manager Ludovic Magnin confirmed as much a few weeks back – but what is the France-born Switzerland Under-21 international looking for in his next club?
Well, as Adamson explains, it does not matter to Sanches whether the team looking to sign him are based in the Premier League, the Bundesliga, Serie A or Ligue 1. All that matters is that the coach at the helm believes in him, has a defined role for him, and can offer the sort of ‘project’ that would appeal to the ambitious Sanches.
“Before signing [for his next club], Alvyn must feel that the coach understands him,” Adamson says. “That he has a concrete project in his pocket for him. The project is more important than the league.”
Alvyn Sanches is a footballer boasting ‘enormous creativity’ in the final third. He has scored a career-best 13 goals this term too from his attacking midfield position, arguably the standout moment coming in the 4-1 hammering of Yverdon Sport when Sanches danced into the box like prime Eden Hazard before slotting home.
“He is a ‘plus-plus’ player,” Adamson quips. “In Switzerland, we don’t have many players who can make the difference in the last 25 metres.”
“You think; ‘Who is this youngster who comes along’? Weak, long-legged, quite skinny. Then, he passes the ball between your legs and plays with a carefree attitude, as if he were in the playground,” adds Amir Abrashi, who has come up against Sanches in action for Grasshoppers.
“It’s crazy how he carries the ball in a small space. I am sure that this brilliant boy will make his mark abroad.”
Lausanne Sport director opens up on Sanches’ price-tag
He has been tipped to replace veteran playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri in the Swiss national team in the near future.
Leeds United reportedly admire Sanches’ versatility, feeling he could play in the wide areas under Daniel Farke as well as providing an alternative to Brenden Aaronson for the number ten spot.
Lausanne Sport director Stephane Henchoz, meanwhile, warns Leeds that Alvyn Sanches will not leave Switzerland on the cheap amid reports that he is valued at around £7 million.
“The priority this winter was to keep or try to keep Alvyn,” explains Henchoz, the former Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers defender. “The next step for him [is] the ‘big five’.”
“It has often been said, two parameters are needed to sell a player. Firstly, the financial offer must correspond to the value of the player. Secondly, the player must have the will to leave.
“He was worth four or five million last summer. He has progressed enormously [since then]. It’s up to you to do your calculations.”
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