An update has emerged on Leeds United and their interest in Kai Wagner in the summer transfer window...
What's the talk?
Journalist Manuel Veth has claimed that the Whites are keen on a deal to sign the German full-back before the deadline passes next month.
He has also revealed that other teams are in the race to secure his signature, whilst it has been reported that he could cost around £2.5m.
"Source! Leeds United remain interested in Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner. But the Premier League club are not the only one interested. Benfica and Dinamo Zagreb have also shown interested in the #DOOP star. This is a decisive summer for the 25-year-old German!"
Jesse Marsch's own Andy Robertson
By striking a deal to sign Wagner, Leeds could land their head coach his own version of the Liverpool full-back, who has proven himself to be an impressive player in the top-flight in recent years as he has caught the eye with his attacking thrust.
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In the last two campaigns combined, the Scottish international has racked up 17 assists for the Reds in the Premier League. He delivered 1.7 and 1.9 key passes per game respectively in the two seasons, which shows that he offers a big creative threat to Jurgen Klopp's team from left-back.
The gem ranked in the top three for chances created per game in the Liverpool squad in that time and Wagner could now come in at Leeds and have a similar impact, in terms of his importance to the team when it comes to unlocking the opposition.
In the 2022 MLS campaign, the German has averaged 2.7 key passes per match across 24 outings. This comes after the 1.7 he produced per game in the division throughout 2021.
Meanwhile, no Leeds player managed more than 1.9 per game last term and Raphinha was the only player with more than 1.2.
The season before that, the Brazilian topped the pile with 2.1 and Jack Harrison was second with 1.6 per match, which means that Wagner - like Robertson for Liverpool - would have placed in the top three in that statistic in both campaigns.
He was dubbed "fighter" by ex-Philadelphia Union defender Aurelien Collin and hailed as a “very unique” by Union boss Jim Curtin, with the latter describing exactly what he could be for Leeds as his creativity from left-back could offer something different to Marsch's team.
If he is able to adapt to playing in England then his numbers suggest that he has the potential to provide Robertson levels of chance creation to the team whilst playing at left-back.
Whereas, Junior Firpo created 0.9 chances per match in the Premier League last term, which is why Wagner would be unique for the Whites in that position as he has the ability to unlock doors in the final third.