Leeds United are eyeing a move for Levante midfielder Jose Campana, as per reports.
Campana has previously played in the Premier League, having been a part of Crystal Palace’s team for one season.
As per Portuguese website Record, the Whites could match the £27.1 million transfer fee that Levante want for the 27-year-old midfielder.
Leeds, however, have competition from the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Everton, who are also reportedly interested in signing him.
Campana scored twice and assisted 7 times in 37 La Liga games in the 2019-20 season. The Spaniard’s current contract with Levante expires in 2023.
Jose Campana – A top option for Bielsa to have?
Jose Campana is a stylish and hardworking playmaker who contributes in attack and defence for his side. The Spaniard predominantly plays as a central midfielder, but he has also been deployed as a winger on the right as well as left flank.
(Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Campana is a player with good technical ability, capable of making short and long passes, averaging 52.7 passes in La Liga in the 2019-20 season.
The Spanish midfielder also likes to drive at the opposition with the ball at his feet, using his trickery, speed and confident dribbling to get past players. He is not afraid to move forward from midfielder areas, averaging 1.7 dribbles per game in the Spanish Primera Liga last season.
Campana’s defensive traits will also hold him in good stead at Leeds as he likes to get stuck in with challenges, and makes clever interceptions thanks to his good positioning. He is an all-round midfielder whose energy and creativity will make him a good fit for Leeds United.
The 27-year old could thrive in the Leeds midfield and seems like the perfect Marcelo Bielsa player. The Whites need reinforcements all over the pitch, but midfield is an area that they will need to make at least one signing ahead of the 2020-21 Premier League season.
Kalvin Phillips, Pablo Hernandez, and Mateusz Klich are the only good first-team options in central midfield as Adam Forshaw has been out with a long-term injury, while Jamie Shackleton is inexperienced and hasn’t had too much playing time, even though he extended his contract recently.
Campana’s versatility, experience, and creativity will be a big boost to the Leeds midfield, and he could play a big role for the Whites if he does sign for them.
While the fee may be a bit steep, that’s the price that Leeds will have to pay to sign an experienced Spanish Primera Liga midfielder like Campana.
Stats via Whoscored