Leeds more attractive for Marcelo than Everton, claims pundit
Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny suspects Marcelo will snub Everton and make the move to Elland Road instead, as the club are on an upward trajectory under Marcelo Bielsa.
The Brazilian is out of contract at Real Madrid next summer and, according to the Mirror, is not part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
As a result, he is set to be sold by the Spanish giants for around £5million this summer, with the player’s preference thought to be a move to England or Italy.
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While Everton emerged as early favourites, Leeds have since joined the race, and Kenny feels his former club have the upper hand. He told Football Insider: “I rate this. What a player he has been and what a career he’s had.
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“With Bielsa, they’ve got a chance at pulling that one off. He’d be an unbelievable signing, for me.
“Everton have stalled a bit at the moment. But Leeds are up-and-coming. So as it stands, it would have to be Leeds because they’re a club on the up compared to where Everton are at the moment.
“They play with a lot of freedom as well which Marcelo will like.”
Marcelo has enjoyed a glittering career in Madrid, winning five La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and four FIFA Club World Cups during his 14 years there.
However, the 33-year-old fell out of favour under Zinedine Zidane last season, featuring only 19 times.
Nevertheless, he would be quite the replacement for Ezgjan Alioski, who is yet to accept a new and improved contract offer from Leeds.
The North Macedonia international, currently representing his country at the Euros, told FIFA.com of the club recently: “I always tell people: Leeds United changed my life.
“As a football player, yes, but also as a person. I’m calmer, more experienced and more mature now, and that’s thanks to what I’ve learned here. I can also say that about Bielsa as a coach after three years together.
“He’s changed my whole outlook on life and improved me so much as a player. I feel I’ve improved every day working with a coach like him and I’m so grateful.”