Leeds United’s latest stance on Middlesbrough attacking midfielder Finn Azaz revealed

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Daniel Farke’s Leeds United side is in desperate need of midfielders this summer, with both deeper players and an attacking midfielder required.

Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu should be capable of stepping up but they could be the only Leeds United midfielders of starting quality for Premier League football.

Depth can be found via Brenden Aaronson and Ilia Gruev, with the latter often solid if not spectacular. However, raising the ceiling of the team is paramount.

That is perhaps why Finn Azaz has been linked with a £20 million switch from Middlesbrough. He is reported to be one of a few players Leeds are eyeing for that area of the pitch.

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Leeds United’s interest in Finn Azaz played down

Leeds fans are desperate for a Brenden Aaronson upgrade this summer and Azaz’s output is seriously impressive at second tier level, having scored or assisted 44 goals in 91 Championship games.

Ultimately, Aaronson was only picked due to a lack of competition. Azaz would provide that at the very least, but how likely actually is a move?

Speaking exclusively to Leeds United News, our transfer expert Graeme Bailey told us the midfielder isn’t likely to swap Middlesbrough for Leeds for a few different reasons.

He said: “I don’t see it. Could Leeds take Finn Azaz as a squad player? Possibly, but I don’t see it.

“Steve Gibson won’t want to do business with Leeds, massively. So I don’t see that in any way, shape, or form. Of course, every Championship player has a price. Of course he does.

“But, no offence to Finn Azaz, I think Leeds believe they’ve got bigger fish to fry, especially when you’ve got the likes of Emi Buendia, Gus Hamer and Gabriel Sara being linked recently.”

It’s fair to say £20 million could be spent on better than Azaz for Leeds, although some pundits like Lee Hendrie have compared Azaz’s success and trajectory to other current Premier League players who came via the EFL.

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Emi Buendia or Finn Azaz for Leeds?

Leeds have to sign an attacking midfielder who moves the needle and raises the ceiling of the team this summer. Azaz may be a material improvement in output terms on Aaronson, but that is not enough.

A playmaker with an eye for a pass who can also unlock doors for Leeds is paramount. That sort of attacking differential is a must, while they also require a degree of Aaronson’s intensity and athleticism, too.

Leeds could sign Azaz, but he would be a downgrade out of possession. The Whites will not average over 60% of the ball next season in the English top flight.

A more established player in one of European football’s major leagues ought to be the way Leeds approach the No.10 role. As Bailey alludes to, Buendia and Hamer have ticked those boxes before.

The Argentinian, in particular, would be a better choice. He could hit the ground running with Leeds, having worked under Farke before. Buendia’s injury record is a concern but he has the quality and intensity.