According to reports from Football Espana, Leeds are in the hunt to sign Villarreal left-back Alfonso Pedraza.
Pedraza, 26, played 14 games for Leeds while on loan during the second half of the 2016-17 season. At that time he played a more attacking role on the wing, netting one goal under previous head coach Garry Monk.
Since his short stint at Elland Road, the Spanish defender has gone on to win the UEFA Europa League in the 2020-21 season under Unai Emery at Villarreal, as well as playing a role in the team’s run to the Champions League semi-final the following year. In total, Pedraza has played 147 games at Villarreal, boasting 11 goals and 18 assists in his tenure.
While Pedraza is understood to be happy at Villarreal and is playing regular first-team football, reports suggest that he would be open to a move.
From a Leeds perspective, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if the club made a move for the Spaniard. The left-back position has been a point of contention for the Whites all season. Junior Firpo has struggled with injury setbacks, and hasn’t fully made the position his own since his arrival in the summer of 2021. Pascal Struijk acted as a reliable performer in the role for Jesse Marsch before the World Cup break, though his selection at full-back has been met with calls from fans to move him back into his preferred centre back position.
While news about potential moves and rumours can spread like wildfire coming up to a Transfer Window, many Leeds fans will be hoping for an arrival in the left-back position this January, whether that name is Pedraza or another option.