Loads of United supporters have been reacting on social media after Leeds Live refuted suggestions by TuttoMercatoWEB that the Whites are interested in Societa Polisportiva Ars et Labor striker Andrea Petagna.
It was alleged by the Italian outlet on Monday that United had offered SPAL €15million (£13.7m) for the forward they had only purchased this summer, but saw the bid rejected as the Serie A side are asking for €25million (£22.8m).
Petagna’s switch to the Stadio Paolo Mazza set Gli Spallini I Biancazzurri back a reported €12million (£10.9m) after they fulfilled their obligation to buy having avoided relegation, with a further €3million (£2.7m) spent last summer to secure the temporary side of the deal.
An immediate exit has been on the cards, however, as interest from Leicester City, Atletico Madrid and Lazio raised the potential for the Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna-based outfit to make a quick profit after Petagna’s standout season.
The 24-year-old centre-forward, who earned his senior Italy debut in 2017, featured in 37 of SPAL’s fixtures during the 2018/19 campaign, in which he scored 17 goals across all competitions and created a further eight.
Both figures alleged by TMW would raise question marks to Leeds’ position given Financial Fair Play concerns are rife in the Championship, and Leeds Live add that Helder Costa’s lucrative move from Wolverhampton Wanderers also brought an end to any more high-figure arrivals this summer.
Leeds Live’s Beren Cross has continued by stating that the club are not done in the market, though, as they are keeping an eye on how things unfold, but has ruled out a €15million move for Petagna.
Here’s how these Leeds fans reacted…
Come on beren we can all but dream of a viduka type striker surely
— mark jones (@mark2jones73) July 29, 2019
Never going to bring these type of players in until we hit the heights of the PL and with the squad we have which is thin I hope it’s not another wasted season
— Alan Bernstein (@AlanBernstein2) July 29, 2019
Christ. We’re in a worse position than we were a year ago. Should have gone for it this season, backed Bielsa, a couple of additions to the squad we had would have been enough. Fingers crossed he works his magic a bit better this season
— 11WHITES (@11WHITES) July 29, 2019
Like Bielsa but how him and the owners don’t think we need more players with out paper thin squad is to naive
— BFS (@BRADFRAZER) July 29, 2019
We wouldn’t spend £15m if Messi was available for that amount. We missed out last year because of a small squad and failure to spend and strengthen in the transfer window. Lack of quality’s signings at CB and striker will cost us again. Why can’t they see it?
— Iain Groundwell (@Hauxley1) July 29, 2019
Joke. @andrearadri trying to do it all on the cheap. Cost us promotion last year, don’t look strong enough this year
— Lewis Delaney (@LewisJDelaney) July 29, 2019
Just sell up Radrizzani, the clubs to big for you.
— Ray (@leedsinyork) July 29, 2019
absolute joke
— q (@ECWLUFC) July 29, 2019
no more incoming transfers. @andrearadri refund mine and my son’s season ticket please. we pay highest prices outside premier league. sell the most shirts, biggest attendances etc. we sell players for peanuts. where has the money been re-invested in players? con-man
— Dirty and Proud (@GazMorris5) July 29, 2019
Yes it is realistic. Just not realistic for leeds. Personally i don’t think we have enough to go up. But obviously i hope i am wrong
— scott bates (@bates_scott88) July 29, 2019
Club is always keeping an eye out for making some money selling that’s for sure.
— jayjay82 (@jwh1982) July 29, 2019