Leeds: Marsch gets 'boost' in bid to land 53-cap star at Elland Road | OneFootball

Leeds United could get Alberth Elis to push for a move after the Bordeaux star revealed his desire to play in the Premier League, says journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Yorkshire club are thought to be interested in the 26-year-old, and O’Rourke thinks his recent comments will come as a boost to them.

What is the latest news involving Elis?

In an interview with El Heraldo, Elis said he has to respect his contract at Bordeaux but dreams of playing in England one day.

“For now, I have a contract with the team; I have to respect it,” the Honduran told El Heraldo. “I am very grateful to them for the support they gave me, for the way they received me when I arrived in France.

“My dream has always been to play in the English league, and let’s hope that it will happen,” he went on to add.

Prior, L’Equipe reported that Elis was attracting interest from Leeds, so his dream could soon become a reality.

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What has O’Rourke said about Elis to Leeds?

O’Rourke thinks Elis’ comments are good news for Leeds as the Premier League outfit continue to eye the former Houston Dynamo man.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: “It can only be a boost for Leeds’ chances of signing him if the player has come out publicly and said he would love to play in the Premier League.

“That opens the door possibly for him to move to England, and Leeds are admirers of the player. They can use that to maybe get the player to push for a move away from his current club.”

Why do Leeds want Elis?

After Patrick Bamford’s injury woes last season, Jesse Marsch will be desperate to add more firepower to his squad, and Elis could do just that.

The 53-cap Honduras international can play up front and scored nine goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2021/22 campaign.

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He can also play off the right, so that versatility may appeal to Marsch as he continues building this Leeds squad in his own image.

As per FBref, Elis has ranked in the 85th percentile for pressures, the 94th for tackles, the 99th for interceptions and the 82nd for blocks among forwards over the last year, so the ex-Boavista player looks ready to defend from the front at Elland Road if asked to lead the line.

All in all, there is a lot of sense behind Leeds targeting Elis this transfer window.