Leeds United are interested in signing Slavia Prague star Nicolae Stanciu, as per reports.
The Daily Mail claims that Stanciu is one of up to five transfer targets Marcelo Bielsa wants to be added to his squad ahead of next season.
Stanciu could cost around £7 million, but what will he bring to Elland Road?
Who is Nicolae Stanciu?
The 27-year-old has experience in the Romanian top flight to add to his time in Belgium, Czech Republic and Saudi Arabia. He moved to Prague just last year, and registered four goals and eight assists in 26 Fortuna Liga appearances, and was also a regular in the group stage of the Champions League for the Czech Republic side.
Stanciu, who is always a threat in front of goal, has 10 goals in 37 caps for the Romanian national side, and will bring some good experience with him if he moves to Elland Road.
An attacking midfielder by trait, Stanciu is a technically gifted player who is hard to dispossess when in full flow. His pace and acceleration along with his impeccable ball control make him an excellent dribbler even in tight spaces, while his vision and decision making make him dangerous in the final third.
The Cricau-born attacker is a versatile presence in the squad, and can play as a support striker, or even as a winger, as he showed in his recent season in Prague.
(Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
At 27, he has enough experience to make a difference in the Premier League, and if Bielsa’s recruitment team see him as the right fit for Leeds, his price tag should not even be an issue.
Right player for Bielsa?
The Argentine manager likes technically superior players, and Nicolae Stansiu fits the bill. Patrick Bamford’s 16-goal season was crucial in Leeds acquiring promotion last season and Bielsa could stick with the 26-year-old as his first-choice striker in the Premier League as well.
However, lack of creativity from the middle of the park was evidently held Leeds United back in the Championship at times last season, especially against teams who played a low-block. This is an issue Stanciu can solve next season.
In Bielsa’s 4-1-4-1 system, Pablo Hernandez and Mateusz Klich were used in the advanced midfield roles. Both players put in decent performances at both ends of the field, but Stanciu adds more creativity and grit to the midfield, which will be crucial in the top flight.
Hernandez isn’t getting younger, and it remains to be seen how often he will be used in games next season, so Stanciu would be a good option to have in the squad.
Stanciu can also act as a cover for the wide roles in the midfield, and gives Bielsa more options to set up his side, making him a decent coup for the Whites.