Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Wednesday, July 20
Whites offered PSG left-back
Leeds United have been offered the chance to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Layvin Kurzawa this summer. A report from Media Foot via the Express claims that the player’s new representatives, CAA Base, have presented Leeds and Everton with the chance to sign him in the coming weeks.
Jesse Marsch will be keen to bolster his options at left-back after Junior Firpo was ruled out for up to eight weeks. Leif Davis, who has been linked with Ipswich Town, and Leo Hjelde, have been filling the void in Firpo’s absence during Leeds’ pre-season tour of Australia.
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Kurzawa joined PSG in the summer of 2015 after helping guide AS Monaco to a third-place finish in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
He has played 153 times for the reigning French champions, scoring 14 goals and winning 17 trophies, including four Ligue 1 titles. The 29-year-old also has 13 caps for France and only signed a four-year contract with PSG in June 2020.
However, Kurzawa made just one appearance under Mauricio Pochettino last season and is reportedly looking for a fresh challenge after falling out of favour in the French capital.
Leeds set Premier League aims
Recapturing the highs of Marcelo Bielsa’s first Premier League season remains the Leeds United dressing room’s aim next term. The majority of the current squad are survivors of the ninth-placed finish under the Argentine in 2021.
The likes of Illan Meslier, Luke Ayling, Mateusz Klich, Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford all have the muscle memory of that first campaign back in the big time. Captain Liam Cooper too, who has opened up on how confident the group feels about bouncing back from last season.
“Going off our first season, last season was a struggle, it was difficult, but in our first season back we finished ninth,” he said. “We’ve definitely got the aim for the top half.”
Raphinha shines on Barca debut
Raphinha marked his Barcelona debut with a goal and two assists as the La Liga giants romped to a 6-0 victory over Inter Miami. The Brazilian winger completed his transfer from Leeds United last Friday and was named in the starting line-up by Barca boss Xavi.
Wearing the number 22 shirt for his new club, Raphinha played a decisive role in Barca’s opening goal. He surged inside from the right to play an intricate one-two with Pedri, before helping the ball onto Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to apply a delicate chip over Nick Marsman in the 19th minute.
He doubled his side’s tally and opened his goal scoring account for Barca six minutes later, with a measured volley into the bottom corner from left-back Alex Balde’s cross.
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