The transfer window for the Premier League and Championship closes in just a week’s time, and clubs are running out of time to finalise deals.
Two clubs that need to add players ahead of the season, Newcastle United and Leeds United, are keen on signing 19-year-old Inter Milan striker Facundo Colidio. The Argentine striker currently plays for the Italian club’s junior team and has not yet played for Inter’s senior team.
According to FcInterNews.it (via Tutto Mercato Web), both English sides are keen on signing the youngster, and will have discussions with the Inter hierarchy regarding a move for the player.
Facundo Colidio – Profile
Colidio previously played for Boca Juniors in Argentina before moving to the Italian side in 2017.
The report states that Inter could demand anywhere between €8 million and €10 million for the teenager, and that Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa is a fan of the 19-year-old.
The youngster scored 12 goals in all competitions last season for the Inter Under19’s side in 31 matches, as well as racking up 6 assists.
Which club would suit Colidio more?
Colidio is a striker with a lot of potential and could be a player who will be successful in the Premier League. The 19-year-old is a team player who is hardworking and can play as a No. 9 or play behind the main striker.
A naturally gifted player, the teenager has good pace and is a physically strong player. He has been likened to another Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Both Newcastle United and Leeds United have not been very active in the 2019 summer transfer window. Leeds have brought three players on loan, while Newcastle have signed Joelinton for a club-record transfer fee of £40 million, while signing Chelsea youngster Kyle Scott on a free transfer.
Newcastle United perhaps have the finances and need another striker more than Leeds as they currently only have Yoshinori Muto and Dwight Gayle as options upfront apart from Joelinton. Muto scored one goal last season, while Gayle was on loan to Championship side West Brom, and could be set for another loan move this season.
Leeds United, meanwhile, do not have the financial power to sign a player for the fee that Inter are reportedly demanding for Colidio, while they also have two strikers in Patrick Bamford and Kemar Roofe, and probably do not need another striker in the system that they currently use.
Considering Colidio hasn’t had much playing time, he would suit the Championship more than the Premier League, though, and under Bielsa, he could feel right at home.
The Argentine’s manager’s style will suit Colidio, and the transition is likely to be smoother. It remains to be seen of Leeds can sign him ahead of Newcastle, though, as the Magpies can promise top-flight football for at least a season.
