With Junior Firpo now almost certainly leaving Leeds United, this now opens the door for a successor.
It’s been revealed that Firpo will sign for Real Betis as a deal is now in its ‘final stages’ of completion.
Daniel Farke won’t be panicking, but the loss of Firpo will have its effect after a superb season in the Championship.
With candidates being lined up, Alex Moreno is on Leeds’ radar as the Aston Villa left-back looks to be a suitable option.
Moreno’s wages might be an obstacle, but a deal could happen, and Marcelo Bielsa had the same thoughts as Farke at Leeds in 2021.
What Leeds target Alex Moreno said to Marcelo Bielsa in 2021
Moreno will have a lot to live up to in replacing Firpo after this season, but the Spaniard has solid Premier League experience, which Firpo doesn’t.
He has the experience, but Firpo had a nightmare with Leeds in the top flight, and his performances played a big part in their relegation in 2023.
Now they’re back in the big time though, Moreno is hoping he doesn’t replicate the 28-year-old’s performances, but he could have actually been in Firpo’s place to begin with.
TEAMtalk suggested that Bielsa’s Leeds were looking to sign Moreno for £13m from Real Betis.
Betis have since reignited interest in Moreno, but the hope is that the left-back comes to Elland Road, and what he said about Bielsa’s interest speaks volumes to what could happen this summer.
Speaking to beIN Sports, Moreno said: “It is true that they have called my agent, big clubs, but I don’t know anything.
“I’m focused on finishing LaLiga by qualifying for Europe with Betis.
“My agent has told me to focus on Betis, on the games that remain. It is the task of the agents.
“(But) it is a source of pride that big clubs notice me.”
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How much Moreno will cost Leeds this summer
With the left-back in the end evidently rejecting Bielsa’s proposal, Leeds fans will hope the same doesn’t occur this window.
The Spaniard was on loan with Nottingham Forest this campaign, but his true brilliance came from his time with Villa, gaining some nice assists to his name.
Villa are now asking for £5m for Moreno which, now looking back at 2021, Farke will land a cut-price deal with an £8m difference from the £13m quoted previously.
£5m seems like a bargain, and although it will be a big gap to fill in terms of Firpo, Moreno has the pedigree to take on the challenge.
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