Signing Sergio Aguero would be tough, but Leeds have to try
By Tom Gott
Since it was announced that Sergio Aguero will be leaving Manchester City, Europe's big boys have been circling in an attempt to seal his signature.
Chelsea, Inter, Barcelona and Arsenal are four of many sides keen to sign Aguero on a free transfer, but as part of their continued refusal to lie down for the biggest sides, Leeds are right there in the chase.
90min exclusively revealed that Marcelo Bielsa is hatching a plan to lure the 32-year-old over to Elland Road this summer, in a move which would be both extremely complicated but also a whole lot of fun.
Leeds won't be blind to the difficulties facing them in their pursuit of one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history. At the end of the day, they don't have Champions League football or the bottomless wage budgets that most of their rivals can offer to Aguero.
What they do have, however, is one of the most exciting brands of football on offer which is as close to a guaranteed boat-load of goals as you're likely to find, and for a man looking to bump up his Premier League numbers, that might be key.
As we've seen with Patrick Bamford's inflated goal tally this season, being a striker at Leeds is pretty good for your reputation. You'll get a lot of opportunities to score, and if you're any good, you'll be celebrating a lot.
Would Aguero start over Bamford?
12 months ago, that would have seemed like a ridiculous question, but nowadays, Bamford is deservedly seen as one of England's most dangerous finishers.
What he does is so important to Leeds that it's hard to imagine anyone else lining up in his lone striker role, and truthfully, Aguero probably wouldn't start in that spot over Bamford. It's not a question of skill, but rather fit for the team.
However, Bielsa enjoys finding ways to cram another striker into his setup. Rodrigo and Tyler Roberts have played as glorified midfielders at times this season, and another tactical contortion could be on the cards if its Aguero looking for minutes.
Would Aguero enjoy Leeds' style of play?
Bielsa knows nothing other than attack, attack, attack, and it's safe to say that'll please Aguero. He's all about chance creation and getting on the end of balls in the box, and thanks to the likes of Raphinha and Jack Harrison, there are plenty of goals on offer.
The prospect of playing alongside Raphinha should cause Aguero particular excitement. Few wingers strike fear in the heart of Premier League full-backs quite like 24-year-old, whose ability to get the ball in the box makes him a dream for any striker.
That's not to say Raphinha is the only man capable of teeing up Aguero - Harrison and Mateusz Klich both boast some of the best shot-creation statistics in the entire Premier League. Leeds are not one-dimensional and Bielsa ensures his side can create chances from all angles at any given time.
For someone with above-average instincts, there will be plenty of chances, but imagine what somebody with the elite positional sense of Aguero could do with the entire Leeds squad picking him out time and time and time again.
For Aguero, there are goals to be had. For Leeds, there are victories.
Aguero is as close to a winning cheat code as you're likely to find in Europe, and while signing him wouldn't necessarily mean a flood of trophies at Elland Road, it would easily ensure a steady ascent up the league table and a huge bump in reputation for Leeds.
It's a move which would benefit everyone involved, and while Aguero might have more glamorous offers on his table, he won't find many more fun than this one.