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Forget Ben White: Leeds interested in £3.6m-rated player who could be ideal in the PL – opinion

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Leeds may be planning for life in the Premier League with the football season currently suspended, as according to the Daily Star they are interested in signing Middlesbrough’s Daniel Ayala.

Boro may have struggled this season but Ayala has previously shown himself to be an adept defender in the Championship, helping the north-east outfit gain promotion to the Premier League in 2015/16. They conceded just 31 goals that season, too, which shows how good Ayala was, and that may be why the 29-year-old is on Leeds’ shortlist.

The fact his contract expires at the end of the season is a bonus, too, with Marcelo Bielsa in need of a defender since Ben White’s loan will be up in the summer. The young defender has excelled at Elland Road this term with 2.3 interceptions and an average WhoScored rating of 7.07 this year. That has earned him several plaudits from supporters and interest to arise from the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.

Despite that, the Whites may be better off if they bring in Ayala to replace the Brighton loanee, as he has certain attributes which may not only suit Leeds, but the Premier League also.

Would Daniel Ayala be a good addition this summer?

Yes

No

First of all, the £3.6m-rated defender is more experienced than White and has played in the Premier League before, which offers him an advantage over the 22-year-old, while his height and physical presence in the box could prove vital in matches where Leeds find themselves under pressure.

That is likely to occur against the top six, but Ayala’s average 5.9 clearances this campaign show he is up for the challenge, and far outweighs White’s return of three per game in the same department.

Standing at 6 foot 3 also means he could prove effective in both boxes, thus making him suitable against a variety of opponents and multiple threats, and a reliable defender to call upon for Bielsa. And given how we have struggled to score from corners this season, we might need all the help we can get.

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