Leeds United opened talks but £10m ace told he’s ‘ready for PSG and Juventus’ instead

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It probably goes without saying that, if a footballer is good enough to represent Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, he could probably make the grade at Leeds United too.

While Daniel Farke is backing Brenden Aaronson to recover his early-season form after ending a seven-game Championship goal drought against Swansea City last weekend, the die appears cast already in terms of Leeds United’s pursuit of a new number ten.

Aaronson is one of a number of players who could be replaced – or upgraded, more appropriately – if Premier League football returns to Elland Road this year.

Leeds retain an interest in Emi Buendia, on loan at Bayer Leverkusen from Aston Villa.

Alvyn Sanches is another on Daniel Farke’s list, although an injury he suffered on his Switzerland debut last month could keep the silky playmaker at Lausanne Sport for one more season.

Edouard Spertsyan opened the door to Leeds, meanwhile, as long as Farke can drag his stalling side over the line at the second time of asking.

Leeds United target Eduard Spertsyan tipped for PSG or Juventus

In that very same interview, the £10 million-rated captain of Russian Premier League challengers Krasnodar confirmed that Ajax, Nice, Juventus and PSG had all expressed an interest in previous transfer windows.

While the chase for Spertsyan’s signature is no longer quite so crowded on the back of a somewhat underwhelming 2024/25 campaign, Leeds are very much in the mix.

And for Aleksandr Mostovoi, the Spartak Moscow legend who went on to represent Benfica, Strasbourg and Celta Vigo, there is no doubt Spertsyan can follow in his footsteps in a more high-profile competition and at a more high-profile club.

“Spertsyan has been the main player in Krasnodar for several seasons, along with [striker Jhon] Cordoba. These are the two footballers who ensure the Bulls’ leadership in the league table,” Mostovoi tells RB Sport.

“Is Spertsyan ready to leave for a top European club this summer? Spertsyan is ready for PSG and Juventus. Any top club. You have to not be afraid if you get an offer.

“He knows how to play football. What else do you need?”

Leeds ‘really like’ £10 million-rated Krasnodar captain

A good agent, perhaps, and willing sellers. According to reports, Krasnodar could accept a reduced fee of just £10 million.

Spertsyan has scored only seven goals from attacking midfield this season – he hit double figures in each of the last two campaigns – but a lower-than-expected price-tag means he is an option Leeds are right to consider.

Some believe Spertsyan is better suited to life in Spain or Italy than England – he idolises Barcelona legends Xavi, Sergio Busquets and particularly Andres Iniesta – Leeds appear convinced in the Russia-born Armenia international and his ability to make the step up to a more physically-demanding destination.

“[Leeds] have made an initial approach on the player side to Eduard Spertsyan,” reporter Ben Jacobs told Give Me Sport in February: “He’s a player that Leeds feels can play at the highest level. And, in the summer, he might even be inclined to drop down into the Championship as well.

“He is at the right kind of age now and has qualities that Leeds really like. He’s a player that [French outfit] Lens already tried to sign and failed.

“So, there’s a few clubs across Europe that are looking at him.”