According to an exclusive report from GHANAsoccernet, Leeds are planning an ‘audacious’ swoop for Swansea forward Andre Ayew.
The Ghanian has been plying his trade in England for a while now and according to the source, Whites manager Marcelo Bielsa is determined to be reunited with Ayew.
The duo worked together while at Marseille back in 2014/15 and it looks as though the experienced head coach is looking towards the 30-year-old to improve Leeds’ fortunes in attack.
Patrick Bamford went ten games without a goal before witnessing a period of rejuvenation in recent weeks but Leeds are still 7.5 strikes behind their xG, according to Experimental361.
Sources close to Ayew suggest that he is happy in Wales but the Swans could be forced to sell if a big bid comes in.
Victor Orta has previously stated that it’ll be a quiet window for the club but Angus Kinnear has followed that up by saying they could be active if an exceptional opportunity presents itself.
But would that exceptional player be Ayew? Football FanCast’s writers have given their verdicts on whether it would be a good move for Leeds.
Lewis Blain:
“Leeds United signing Andre Ayew would be a mark of their ambition. The veteran winger has bags of experience at the top of the game and that’s where the club wants to be, right? He’s played over 180 times in Ligue 1 and is just shy of 90 appearances in the Premier League, per Transfermarkt.
“This season in the Championship he has displayed why he’s far better than the division, bagging seven goals and four assists for Swansea City. So, the Whites could even effectively weaken a promotion rival by improving their own squad too. Ayew is able to play anywhere across the frontline which should suit Marcelo Bielsa’s system and he can offer valuable advice to the likes of Jack Harrison and Helder Costa, who lack playing time at the very top.
“Bielsa knows him well from their time at Marseille which only strengthens the argument behind signing him. Leeds may need to get out the chequebook but he would be a more than worthy addition for a side with such lofty aims.”
Jon Radcliffe:
“Leeds appear to have been linked with a number of high-profile names recently, such as Erling Haaland. Whilst Andre Ayew may not be in the same stunning form as the Norway international, he is still impressing in the Championship with seven goals and four assists so far for Swansea City this term.
“The 30-year-old is a man with plenty of experience, having also played for Marseille, and his appearances and goals at various World Cups show he can perform at the highest level. Not only that, but he has already played under Marcelo Bielsa, meaning that he should already be used to El Loco’s ways.
“Quite frankly, there appears to be very few drawbacks to this potential deal. If Leeds want to get promoted and stay in the top flight, these are the kind of players they need to be looking at.”
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Vijievan Jeevathalyan: “A man who has been around the block in his professional career with six different clubs to his name, Andre Ayew appears to have settled down in Wales with Swansea. The Ghanaian has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign, banging in nine goals in 21 games across all competitions, and it is understandable why Marcelo Bielsa is keen on a reunion with him at Leeds. As well as knowing the Championship quite well now, the 30-year-old’s previous relationship with the current Whites boss at Marseille could unlock something more.“The duo would know what each other wants and is capable of, and it has all the ingredients of a recipe for success. Bielsa has already shown he knows how to get the best out of Ayew, with the forward notching ten times and providing a further six assists in Ligue 1 in the 2014/2015 campaign. Recreating that potent partnership at Leeds would be a match made in heaven.”
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