With eight days left to go in the January transfer window, Daniel Farke is seemingly becoming more and more keen to sign some new recruits at Leeds United before the February 3 deadline.
Daniel Farke had started the month by saying he expected a quiet window at Leeds. But prior to Monday night’s Championship showdown with Burnley, Farke outlined three positions he wants to strengthen.
New players continue to be linked with Leeds every day, with Farke’s memory of the previous January window likely to remain fresh in his mind. Leeds only managed to get a deal done for Connor Roberts.
Meanwhile, Ipswich stole a march on the race for the top two and eventually secured promotion having made some crucial signings in the winter window and providing Kieran McKenna with required depth.
Now, Leeds are battling Everton and Sheffield United in a bargain £2m race for a player that has played in the top tiers of Brazil, Portugal, Spain, France and Belgium – namely, Botafogo midfielder Danilo Barbosa.
Race to sign Botafogo’s Danilo Barbosa is hotting up
The Sunday Mirror (p71, 26/01) say Botafogo are open to the permanent sale of Barbosa. The midfielder sees his contract in Brazil expire at the end of the year and Botafogo don’t want to lose him on a free.
Leeds, David Moyes’ Everton and promotion rivals Sheffield United are all interested in signing Barbosa. A bargain fee of £2m is enough to land the 28-year-old, who has played in some of Europe’s top divisions.
Barbosa boasts Valencia, Braga, OGC Nice and Standard Liege on his CV and has since clocked up 96 outings for Botafogo in his home country. But it now appears he could add another country, in England.
Danilo Barbosa knows Rodrigo Moreno well, shared 19 games
The report says that Botafogo want a sale and are open to offers, but Barbosa is happy to stay if the right move does not present itself given Botafogo will face PSG and Atletico Madrid in the Club World Cup.
Whether Leeds will actually try to sign a midfielder remains to be seen. The Whites are strong in holding midfield at the moment, but may need a replacement if Josuha Guilavogui leaves Leeds to join Paris FC.
That may see Leeds move for Barbosa, a player that played 19 times alongside Leeds hero Rodrigo during the 2015-16 season at Valencia. While Leeds don’t need Barbosa, a £2m deal represents a real bargain.
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