According to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay, Leeds' interest in Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul "remains serious".

What's the word?

Reports in recent days have suggested Marcelo Bielsa's side are keen on bringing the Argentina international to Elland Road in this transfer window, as they look forward to their first season back in the Premier League.

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And having already clinched the signings of both Rodrigo and Robin Koch, Hay has claimed that Leeds are still firmly interested in bringing Udinese's De Paul to the club, and that they have the money to pull it off.

Hay adds that the versatile midfielder is keen to go to a team "where he'll be a main player".

Better than Pablo Hernandez

Valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, De Paul enjoyed an impressive 2019/2020 campaign for Udinese, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists in 35 games across all competitions.

Whilst he played the majority of his games in the middle of the park, the 26-year-old is more than comfortable playing further forward.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Evening Post, Smarterscout's Dan Altman claimed: "There aren’t any central midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues who can match Rodrigo de Paul’s style of play and his pitch coverage.