Leeds: Whites eyeing Boulaya | OneFootball

An update has emerged on Metz midfielder Farid Boulaya, regarding Leeds’ interest in his services.

What’s the talk?

According to journalist Mohamed Toubache-TER, Leeds are knocking on the door of FC Metz in regards to the potential signing of Farid Boulaya this summer.

He has also claimed that clubs from Spain and Italy are showing an interest in the central midfielder. Metz are looking for a fee in the region of £3.8m (€4.5m) for the Algerian.

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Get it done

Victor Orta must ensure that he can get a deal done for Boulaya in the coming weeks. It could be a shrewd piece of business for the club at a low-risk price, with £3.8m for a player who impressed in Ligue 1 last season appearing to be a bargain on paper.

The Ligue 1 TV deal collapsed last year and Amazon have agreed a deal with the league, which has led to domestic broadcasters kicking up a fuss. All of this has led to potential cash flow problems for French sides and that could be why a player of Boulaya’s quality may cost such a small fee. Therefore, Leeds need to take advantage of this situation whilst they can before it gets resolved and prices begin to increase.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a superb campaign with Metz in the top-flight. He averaged a sublime WhoScored rating of 7.22 as he plundered six goals and provided eight assists. Only Raphinha (nine) managed more assists in the Premier League for Leeds, which suggests that the Algerian could provide a good level of creativity to Marcelo Bielsa’s squad.

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Earlier this year, French coach Corinne Deacon claimed that Boulaya is “coming of age” and said that she was surprised, back in 2015, to find a player of his quality without a club before he signed for Clermont.

She said: “I have good memories of Farid. When he signed for Clermont, he was in great difficulty because he had no club. I was a little surprised to find a player of such a level that no club had seen his qualities. But I was very happy that he went through Clermont.

“He had a serious injury which put a stop to the progression of his career. But today Farid is coming of age. I’m happy with the season he’s doing.”

This shows that he has been through hardships in his career. Therefore, he could have the motivation and work rate required to be a success in the Premier League. He’s has had to put the hard yards in to make it to where he has, which is another reason why Orta must get this over the line.

After all, you don’t make it under Bielsa unless you’re a hard-working character. Boulaya fits that perfectly.

AND in other news, Romano delivers transfer update on £26m “machine”, it’s gutting for Bielsa and Leeds…