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Monk appears to rule out Leeds reunion for free agent striker
By Will Butcher
Manager Garry Monk has has appeared to ruled out a move for ex-Leeds star Luciano Becchio, who is available on a free.
Goal machine Becchio is a free agent after being released by rivals Rotherham at the end of last season.
Speaking before Saturday’s Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield, Monk was quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Lee Sobot via his personal Twitter account, as describing the interest for Becchio as just a “rumour”.
Monk has not ruled out signing more free agents though, providing the right one comes along.
Monk on Becchio: "There are a lot of facts to talk about and I don't like to talk about rumours. It's a pure rumour." #lufc #lufclive
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) September 8, 2016
Monk on prospect of signing free agents: "Whenever you find the right one, the door is always open." #lufc #lufclive
— Lee Sobot (@LeeSobotYEP) September 8, 2016
The 32-year-old brute is popular on the terraces at Elland Road, after scoring 86 goals in 219 league and cup appearances for the Championship giants.
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Becchio, who was on the books at La Liga champions Barcelona for a year, joined Leeds in 2008 when the club were languishing in the third tier of English football.
The Boca Juniors academy graduate scored 18 goals in his debut season as Leeds reached the play-offs, before scoring another 17 in the following season as Leeds finally returned to the Championship.
Prior to joining Norwich in a swap deal with Wales international Steve Morison, Becchio scored 20 goals in all competitions in the first half of the 2012/13 season. The Canaries failed to give Becchio any regular game time following the move to East Anglia and his form slipped away.
The striker has failed to find a permanent home after a short spell with Rotherham and a return home to Argentina with Primera Division side Club Atletico Belgrano, leading to rumours beginning to circle that Becchio could return to Leeds.
However, it seems former Swansea boss Monk isn’t interested in giving Becchio an Elland Road return.
In other Leeds news, Monk has hinted at adding to his 11 summer recruits.