With Leeds United expected to lose Raphinha this summer, the Whites are reportedly on the hunt to bolster their frontline, having registered their interest in several forwards this summer. According to Football Insider, Wolves winger Adama Traore has emerged as the latest name on the Leeds’ shortlist, with the club having offered £18m for the 26-year-old Spaniard with one year left on his contract.
Unlikely to make a permanent move to Barcelona following a decent six-month loan spell with the club, the rambunctious winger is likely to leave Wolves having failed to deliver consistent performances on the pitch in recent seasons. Reportedly, admired by Leeds’ director of football, Victor Orta – who oversaw the winger’s move from Aston Villa to Middlesborough in 2016 – Traore has emerged as a tempting target to replace the departing Raphinha, with the club having also lined up another target in FC Porto’s Otavio in recent weeks.
An Exciting Prospect
While there emerges a clear distinction between the abilities of Raphinha and Traore, the latter’s explosiveness in possession has seen him instil fear in several defences throughout his career. Although the winger is yet to fulfil his potential at the highest level, a move to Leeds could see him become an instant fan favourite, provided he delivers notable performances under Marsch’s tutelage.
Despite having continually struggled with consistently materialising his potential on the pitch, Traore’s versatility combined with his ferocious nature across the attacking third could see Leeds acquire a boisterous prospect. Renowned for his ability to progress the ball up the pitch, dribble or bulldoze past defenders alongside delivering sublime crosses, the forward could add an explosive dynamic to Leeds’ frontline, with the team expected to undergo a change of system given the likelihood of losing both Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips this summer.
Questionable Quality
Given that Traore’s weaknesses lie in his inconsistency, passing, poor-decision making and defensive work rate alongside a failure to contribute an adequate number of goals – 29 goals in 154 games for Wolves – the winger’s physical strength, explosiveness, and potential to improve, emerge as the only positives for those looking to secure his services. Moreover, having only registered a combined 11 goal contributions over the last two seasons, Traore is yet to deliver notable numbers on the pitch.
Although the winger made a notable start to his loan spell at Barcelona, Traore eventually found himself on the bench, registering only nine starts in 23 appearances for Xavi Hernandez’s side following the winter transfer window. Now, with Wolves keen on sanctioning his sale, having failed to agree on a contract extension with the player, Traore could certainly operate in Raphinha’s position at Leeds but emerges as a player unlikely to have the impact the Brazilian does in his role within the squad.
Verdict
Having already roped in promising players ahead of securing additional signings over the course of the summer, Leeds will be keen on avoiding a repeat of last season’s inconsistent performances. While Adama Traore emerges as a tempting option for the club, the winger’s lack of consistency and questionable technical ability could impede Marsch’s vision for the team.
Despite being admired by Leeds’ director of football, Traore emerges as an irregular fit into the current team set-up. However, having shown glimpses of his potential in recent campaigns and, with the likelihood of establishing himself as a first-team regular at Leeds, the 26-year-old could move to Elland Road provided he is seen as a figure capable of supplementing the manager’s style of play next season.
