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3 players Leeds United should be prioritising over £11.7m-rated player

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Leeds United have been linked with a transfer swoop for West Brom star Matheus Pereira following his side’s relegation to the Championship this season.

The Premier League season has come to an end and following promotion in 2020, Leeds and West Brom have had hugely contrasting fortunes.

While Leeds have soared into the top half of the table to finish in ninth, the Baggies slumped to relegation after performing poorly all season.

A shining light in their bleak season was Brazilian attacking midfielder Matheus Pereira, who ended the campaign with 11 goals and six assists.

The Daily Express have reported that Leeds are one of a number of clubs interested in the £11.7million-rated man as he looks set not to follow West Brom back to the Championship.

More recently, Leeds Live’s Beren Cross has revealed that Leeds are not prioritising a move for the Baggies star, evenm if they are well aware he’s available.

There’s no doubting the former Sporting CP man’s talent, but we’re going to take a look at three players that the club should be prioritising a transfer for…

Matheus Cunha

First up on the list is a big one and it’s Pereira’s namesake and compatriot, Matheus Cunha.

The Hertha Berlin star has been a key part of the Bundesliga outfit’s season and looks set to be subject to a lot of summer interest in the coming weeks and months.

He ended the season on seven goals and four assists playing mostly out wide and in attacking midfield, and was a vital part of their attack, producing 4.25 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes.

German outlet SportBild (via Transfermarkt) linked Leeds with a move for the 21-year-old and while he would come in at a reported €40million, he presents a far better long-term signing than Pereira after what he’s already achieved.

He’s a very versatile forward that could play almost anywhere across Leeds’ attack and provide a lot of strength in depth in doing so. Competition for places behind Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo could be vital going forward.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Name number two on the list is Georgian sensation, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has been stunning the Russian League and international stage with Rubin Kazan and his country.

Having just turned 20-years-old this season, the left-winger has been a joy to watch, cutting in on his dangerous right foot and showing a real eye for goal.

He grabbed headlines when he netted against Spain back in March, getting the better of Diego Llorente to fire home to give Georgia the lead.

The winger has been reported by FootballFanCast as a target for the Whites, while comments from his agency indicate that he’d certainly be ready for a transfer to the Premier League, should one materialise.

Valued at £16.2million, Kvaratskhelia would come at a fairly big cost but a player with immense talent and could provide a lot of competition too in an area where Leeds need consistency behind the main starters.

Romain Faivre

The final name in this trio is Stade Brest’s star winger Romain Faivre.

The Ligue 1 outfit staved off relegation narrowly this season in their second campaign in the top flight, and helping them get there was winger Faivre.

PLying his trade predominantly on the wing, Faivre has shone this season playing almost everywhere across Brest’s attack this season, putting in consistently impressive performances in the process.

In 33 league appearances this season, the Frenchman managed six goals and five assists while completing 2.77 dribbles per 90 minutes. A number comfortably better than Raphinha’s 2.33 per 90.

L’Equipe reported earlier this season that Leeds are one of the clubs interested in the 22-year-old and he could set the club back £16million if a deal was struck.

While it might seem a lot for a winger in a side battling at the bottom of Ligue 1, it’s a lot less than what you’d expect West Brom to demand for Pereira.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.