---
title: "Leeds United: Graham Smyth clears up Rodrigo De Paul rumours"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-graham-smyth-clears-up-rodrigo-de-paul-rumours/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2020-10-01T16:00:40Z"
modified: "2020-10-01T16:00:40Z"
---

# Leeds United: Graham Smyth clears up Rodrigo De Paul rumours

**Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth has [claimed](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/work-still-do-questions-be-answered-and-what-we-can-say-about-leeds-uniteds-summer-window-graham-smyth-2988825) that Leeds United did not table a bid for Udinese’s Rodrigo De Paul.**

With the transfer window coming to a close, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has been linked with a number of players to further bolster his squad options.

Spending just under [£80m in the transfer market thus far](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transfers/verein/399), the former Athletic Bilbao boss has already seen the likes of Rodrigo Moreno and Diego Llorente arrive at Elland Road.

With [Michael Cuisance expected to arrive from Bayern Munich in the coming days](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/12085740/michael-cuisance-leeds-close-to-signing-bayern-munich-midfielder), a link to De Paul also [emerged](https://metro.co.uk/2020/09/22/udinese-send-clear-message-to-leeds-united-over-rodrigo-de-paul-transfer-13306268/) recently with Bielsa said to be keen on the Serie A based Argentine attacking midfielder.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Despite reports of Leeds’ interest and a potential bid, [Smyth](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/work-still-do-questions-be-answered-and-what-we-can-say-about-leeds-uniteds-summer-window-graham-smyth-2988825) has now claimed that a bid was not made by the Yorkshire club.

*“While Rodrigo De Paul flirted with fans on social media and kept himself linked to Elland Road,”* Smyth said. “V*ictor Orta made discreet advances towards Bayern Munich for Michael Cuisance.*

*“A bid, Elland Road sources say, was never made for De Paul and although constant reports turned it into a bit of a sideshow, it acted as a smokescreen that allowed Leeds to get a deal done for a midfielder in relative peace and quiet.”*

Matched with Smyth’s claim Udinese director Pierpaolo Marino recently [discussed](https://www.football-italia.net/159564/udinese-unworthy-offers-de-paul) the transfer sage surrounding the 26-year-old, saying that he has not received a bid and that the club were keen to keep him.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

It does seem that any interest in De Paul was small to say the least. Marcelo Bielsa has now turned his attentions elsewhere with Cuisance heavily linked and [a potential deal for Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell being discussed.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-united-talks-continue-over-todd-cantwell-personal-terms-agreed/)

De Paul compared to the former is a completely different player, certainly more attacking, but against Cantwell, the Argentine scored [seven goals and gained six assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rodrigo-de-paul/profil/spieler/255901) in Italy’s top flight last term, and whilst he may have more experience, youth is certainly on the Norwich City midfielder’s side.

A move for Cantwell does seem to make more sense and would seemingly be a cheaper option, given that De Paul is valued by [Transfermarkt at £27m.](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rodrigo-de-paul/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/255901)

Leeds fans who may have got excited at the thought of De Paul coming in, can be just as excited if the club sign Cantwell instead.

***Do you think Leeds should have made a bid for De Paul? Let us know in the comments section below…***