Leeds United are now facing a transfer battle with Real Madrid for the signing of Fulham starlet Fabio Carvalho.
What’s the story?
According to recent reports, the Cottagers have hit a contract impasse with the 18-year-old, whose deal at the club expires at the end of this season.
It was suggested that the likes of Leeds, West Ham, Norwich and Porto are all said to be interested in making a move for the teenager, and that “owners Shahid and Tony Khan face a difficult decision whether to cash in if they can’t reach agreement with the youngster over a new deal.”
And now, The Daily Mail have claimed that La Liga giants Madrid have entered the fray for the teenager, with a number of Premier League clubs in the running too.
Rodrigo will be worried
Speaking after he watched him score his first goal for the club against Southampton towards the back end of last season, former Fulham boss Scott Parker said: “Fabio was lively, he had great amounts of energy. All round his performance was very good for a young boy that has come into the team for his full debut.
“He showed real courage and bravery, he’s earned the right to get into this team. He’s not in this team because our season’s over, he’s in the team because he deserves it.”
Able to play anywhere across midfield and further forward too, Carvalho has been at his best for Fulham’s youth sides when playing just behind the striker.
In 42 games in that position for the Cottagers, the England U18 international has smashed in an incredible 20 goals and provided another nine assists too, while he’s also equally effective out wide too (he’s scored seven goals and set up another eight from the right hand side).
This season has seen him start off with a bang for the senior side, bagging three goals in five Championship games, including providing one assist too.
Given the position that he plays, it’s Leeds’ Rodrigo who will perhaps be feeling the most worried about Carvalho’s potential arrival at Elland Road.
At more than a decade younger than him, Carvalho is already showing why the likes of Madrid are interested in signing him, while Rodrigo’s time in Yorkshire has been nothing short of a disappointment thus far.
If the Whites do move for Carvalho, not only would they be getting someone who could be the long-term successor to their club-record signing, but potentially to overtake him for the here and now too.
Meanwhile, this Leeds star has been an absolute bargain…
