Whelan ‘very excited’ by Leeds approach for star ‘second only to Messi’
Noel Whelan has been left buzzing as Leeds United move to sign SD Huesca left-back Javi Galan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 26-year-old seems a “very exciting” wing-back who can get fans out of their seats.
As revealed by Football Insider on Wednesday (2nd June), Leeds have approached Galan’s representatives over a potential move.
It is understood Sevilla are also keen after his release clause dropped to £3.5million ahead of the summer.
Like current Leeds starter Ezgjan Alioski, Galan is a versatile wing-back who can also play in a more advanced role down the left flank.
As detailed by Whoscored, only Lionel Messi (159) made more successful dribbles than the Huesca star (121) in La Liga during the 2020/21 season.
Whelan admitted he was seriously excited by the prospect of Galan joining the Whites’ squad.
Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge: “It sounds very exciting, doesn’t it?
“If you got him as a left-back, who’s only second to Lionel Messi when it comes to dribbles, Leeds United were exciting last season, hold onto your seats. It sounds really promising.
“That is the style that we like play. We look to get the wing-backs nice and high. That is why Kalvin Phillips is so important to our side. It’s why Declan Rice is (important) to West Ham.
“He gives you those securities. It allows the wing-backs to get nice and high. We know Ayling loves to do that, gets himself in position, gets himself goals. As does Stuart Dallas.
“That’s what it is, it’s another side to your attack from a wing-back. That’s the role you have to play these days. You’ve got to cover three bases: defensively, midfield-wise but also be that final attacker, overlapping and making overloads in our final third.”
Galan’s contract at Huesca is set to expire next summer.
The left-footer scored once and contributed two assists in 37 La Liga appearances during the 2020/21 campaign.
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