While links with Leeds United continue to swirl around, how serious are they? Is there any truth to the reports and, if there is, what are the chances of a January switch to Elland Road?
Well, according to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, one thing is for certain.
Alvyn Sanches is a genuine Leeds transfer target. There is certainly some accuracy, he says, to the suggestions that a man some have labelled ‘the greatest talent in Swiss’ football’ could be about to bring his snake-hipped scheming to West Yorkshire.
Leeds United, for all their strengths, are a little light in the number ten role.
While Brenden Aaronson’s revival has been a sight to behold, Joel Piroe’s struggles in a deeper position have left Daniel Farke relatively short of options in behind the centre-forward.
This is where Alvyn Sanches comes in.
Leeds United have ‘concrete’ interest in Alvyn Sanches
The Lausanne Sport talisman is a player with ‘enormous creativity’, even if that is not really reflected in his tally of three assists this season. Something which may really appeal to Farke, meanwhile, is his work rate out of possession.
Only one player in the Swiss Super League has won possession more in the final third throughout 2024/25 than Sanches.
Reports have indicated that Lausanne Sport – the INEOS-powered club dreaming of a first title in 60 years – value Sanches at around £7 million.
He’s affordable then. Versatile too. Another attribute which has not gone unnoticed by the talentspotters in West Yorkshire.
“Alvyn Sanches is a concrete name on the Leeds radar,” Jacobs explains. “[But] I don’t know if anything will be able to be done now as oppose to the summer.
“He’s doing very well in the Swiss league. [Sanches is] somebody on Leeds’ radar who will not necessarily break the bank.
“What they like, from enquiries I’ve made, his mould is he’s a winger but where he plays is a striker, attacking midfielder, central midfielder… This is someone that can play all over the field.
“When I asked Leeds sources, they likes that Sanches can play all over the park.”
Lausanne Sport manager accepts Sanches will leave
By his own admission, Alvyn Sanches plans to leave Switzerland at the end of the current campaign.
His focus appears to be on Lausanne Sport for the time being – they, like Leeds, have a title to win – but the France-born 21-year-old knows that his development into a potentially elite talent would be best served by making an ‘intermediate’ step to a club such as the one sitting at the top of the Championship table.
Lausanne Sport coach Ludovic Magnin knows Sanches’ shelf-life is limited at the Stade de la Tuiliere.
His message to the supporters is a simple one, really; Enjoy Sanches while you still can.
“He’s still here, but anyone who knows the business knows that there are no certainties,” Magnin explains. “That’s why I won’t be making any big statements until February 1st. But the player has clearly communicated that he wants to stay with us until the summer.
“I think he wants to finish the great journey we’re on with us, and then leave in the summer. That’s the plan. But I can hardly remember the last time a plan worked out in football!”
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