Leeds United submit bid for Wolves winger Adama Traore

Leeds United have launched a club-record €35m bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore.

Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers

Adama Traore, 25, arrived at Wolverhampton Wanderers from Middlesbrough in 2018, signing a five-year contract. He has two years remaining on his current deal and has been linked with a move away from the Molineux. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Chelsea are also interested in the winger, who made just one appearance for Spain at Euro 2020.

Wolves have signed Francisco Trincao on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with an option to buy included at the end of the campaign. Trincao’s arrival could pave the way for the departure of Adama Traore, with new manager Bruno Lage said to have more faith in the Portuguese than the Spanish international.

Traore had an underwhelming 2020/21 campaign with the Wanderers, who finished 13th on the Premier League table after back-to-back seasons in seventh place under former boss Nuno Espirito Santo. The 25-year-old wide-man supplied two goals and three assists in 37 league appearances, yet, Leeds United are willing to break their club’s transfer record by signing him this summer.

Jack Harrison, Junior Firpo and Kristoffer Klaesson have joined the Whites this summer, with the former completing a permanent move from Manchester City, while manager Marcelo Bielsa has continued investing in youngsters by bringing in Lewis Bate, Amari Miller and Sean McGurk ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

Leeds United must add more potency to their attack

Leeds remain in the market for more players as Marcelo Bielsa looks to challenge for a European spot in the upcoming season.

The Whites conceded 54 goals last season—the most from set-pieces, i.e. 16. The set-piece weakness is such an obvious flaw and one plenty of teams took advantage of. Following the acquisition of Junior Firpo from Barcelona, Bielsa should invest more to address his team’s defensive problems.

In addition to signing a strong, commanding centre-back, the Argentinean tactician must also add invention and guile to his attack. Raphinha was arguably Leeds’ best player last season, adapting to the Premier League like a duck to water following his move from Rennes. The Brazilian winger added the ‘X’ factor to the Whites’ attack with his pace, dribbling skills and creativity.

However, Bielsa and his team need more than Raphinha in terms of pace and flair if they are to compete for a top-six finish.

Adama Traore could be a good fit at Elland Road

Adama Traore had a very ordinary last campaign with Wolves, but one can easily see what he brings to the table. Blessed with pace, power and physicality, Bielsa could turn him into an absolute star at Elland Road.

Bielsa wants versatile and creative players who work hard for the team and Traore fits the bill for what the Argentinean is looking for. A right-winger by trade, the Spanish international’s raw pace and ability to drive past his opponents without breaking a sweat could be a potent weapon for Bielsa’s side, who look to release their attackers with quick passes from the defence and midfield. He can also play at wing-back, which certainly will appeal to the Leeds boss.

Traore has quality and potential and Bielsa knows better than most managers how to really get the best out of the players. Should Leeds agree on a €35m deal with Wolves for the Spanish winger, it’ll represent a massive coup for the Yorkshire giants. 

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