‘Leeds wanted to buy me,’ says Star, explaining why Bielsa blocked a £35 million transfer.

THE STAR SAYS ‘LEEDS WANTED TO BUY ME’ AND EXPLAINS WHY BIELSA BLOCKED THE £35M DEAL
Noa Lang of PSV Eindhoven admits that Leeds United ‘wanted to buy me’ before Marcelo Bielsa balked at a potential £35 million offer.

Back in 2021, The Athletic’s Phil Hay reported that the legendary Leeds manager had serious reservations about Noa Lang’s defensive work-rate, instead opting to sign long-term target Daniel James from Manchester United.

Leeds United had a chance. Noa Lang’s
“The media wrote that I had agreed with AC Milan,” Lang explains. “However, I was on the verge of relocating to Leeds.”

“Leeds wanted to buy me from Club Brugges for 40 million euros.” Finally, the deal fell through, leaving me mentally exhausted. Marcelo Bielsa was skeptical about how much work I could do without the ball…”

Bielsa’s reservations are understandable.

Lang, the most erratic of performers, has a habit of rubbing people the wrong way. Radja Nainggolan, a former Inter Milan, Roma, and Belgium midfielder, was harsh in his criticism, while Erik ten Hag gave Lang the Sancho treatment when bombing him out of Ajax.

Lang, now 24, is letting his football speak for itself these days. His dazzling performances at Club Brugge earned him comparisons to the one and only Neymar, while Lang’s impressive if injury-plagued start to life at PSV Eindhoven has cemented his place in Ronald Koeman’s plans for the Netherlands ahead of Euro 2024.

‘Really outstanding.’

“Noa Lang had to step into (Xavi Simons’) shoes and take PSV by the arm,” former Philips Stadium fan Marcinao Vink tells Voetbalpraat, referring to Lang’s return to Holland for £24 million less than Leeds were willing to pay in 2021.

“I believe what he displays is truly exceptional.” A true steal. He easily defeats his opponents. He seeks out his opponents without hesitation or fear, as evidenced by how many dribbles he makes even at high intensity.”

READ MORE: ‘It’s possible,’ says Graham Smyth, who claims a £4 million Leeds player could start for the first time since August on Wednesday.

‘It’s possible,’ says Graham Smyth, who claims a £4 million Leeds player could start for the first time since August on Wednesday.

With the injury list growing longer, Graham Smyth believes Charlie Cresswell could start for Leeds United against Swansea City on Wednesday night at Elland Road.

Pascal Struijk was a late substitute in last Friday’s 2-1 win over Plymouth. It comes after he had to go under the knife for hernia surgery after playing with pain in recent matches.

He only played a few minutes against Stoke, and Daniel Farke was probably not going to use him. He only came on after captain Liam Cooper injured his hamstring. Of course, Joe Rodon will get the start.

But who is his partner? Cooper appears to be out, and it will be interesting to see if Farke believes Struijk is ready for 90 minutes. Indeed, he was taken aback by the speed with which Struijk returned.

Farke may not want to risk Struijk ahead of a crucial match against Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough on Saturday. Smyth says Cresswell could start, in his latest piece in the YEP.

“It’s possible, if Cooper has done himself another mischief – went off holding the back of his leg – and Struijk isn’t quite ready to start, Cresswell could find himself in the side in midweek against Swansea.”

Graham Smyth believes Charlie Cresswell could make his debut against Swansea.
The defender is forced to wait. His last and only League start of the season came on August 12 in a 1-0 loss to Birmingham City. This is our second league game of the season. He did make his Cup debut.

However, Farke was clearly not convinced. Rodon and Struijk are first choices, Cooper is second, and Cresswell is fourth. However, the £4m-rated defender could be used against Swansea.