Colombia got their Copa America campaign off to an excellent start with a 2-1 win over Paraguay in Houston, and a Leeds United target starred ahead of Luis Sinisterra.
Leeds will be in the market for new wingers this summer. Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto are both expected to leave Elland Road in due course, with Nottingham Forest tabling a bid for the latter.
Especially with Jaidon Anthony returning to Bournemouth after a loan spell at Leeds, while Ian Poveda is set to see his contract expire next week. It leaves Leeds with just Dan James on the flanks next season.
So, Leeds are going to need one or two wingers in the coming months and one player linked with a move to Elland Road is Fluminense’s Jhon Arias. The eye-catching winger has been linked with Leeds in the past.
Now, a report this month says Leeds are in the mix to sign Arias this summer but face competition from the likes of Crystal Palace, Leicester, West Ham and Rangers. Last night, he started for Colombia.
Leeds want £11m-rated Jhon Arias and he starred last night
The £11m-rated winger has been in impressive form for Colombia of late. A player with 73 goals and assists in 168 games for Fluminense, Arias scored in Colombia’s last three games ahead of Copa America.
It saw Arias handed a start against Paraguay and despite a slow start, Nestor Lorenzo’s side secured a 2-1 win largely thanks to James Rodriguez who laid on two assists as Arias started ahead of winger Sinisterra.
Indeed, Sinisterra – who remains on Leeds’ books at least until July 1 when his permanent Bournemouth move goes through – was left on the bench while Arias started and clocked up 71 minutes during the win.
What media said about Arias as he starts over Luis SInisterra
Colombian outlet AS report that Arias was “great” tactically and while he did not steal the limelight like James, his performance was crucial to Colombia securing all three points in their first group game.
“He didn’t get the spotlight like James or Ríos, but tactically he played a great game, he even stole the ball in the play for Muñoz’s goal. Silent work at the service of the National Team,” AS say about Arias.
If he’s preferred to Sinisterra, then Leeds have got to do their utmost to get him. But the chances are that with Premier League clubs chasing him, and West Ham tabling a bid, Leeds might end up missing out.