Leeds United are still on the hunt for a new midfielder after the deal to sign Michael Cuisance fell apart at the 11th hour due to a failed medical.
The Frenchman’s medical problems have seen Leeds once again linked with a number of new targets including Nahitan Nandez, but one intriguing story that has cropped up is surrounding United’s interest in Jose Campana.
The Whites have reportedly made a €15m (£13.5m) bid for the Spanish midfielder, and while signing a third La Liga star in this window is exciting, from an outsider’s point of view, there is one big reason to be worried.
Indeed, this wouldn’t be Campana’s first spell in the Premier League. He has previously played in England for Crystal Palace, and it’s fair to say he didn’t fare too well, making just six league appearances for the Eagles prior to being loaned out just a few months after his arrival, before eventually being sold in the summer.
However, the stats may not do his stay in England justice.
The Spaniard was rated very highly by Ian Holloway when he first signed, with the former Palace boss saying: “I think Campana’s a fantastic player, his maturity is unbelievable, and the way he plays the game is the way I believe it should be played. He’s going to be a great star of the future and the present.”
Unfortunately, Holloway didn’t last long in that job, leaving Selhurst Park in late October, being replaced by Tony Pulis.
For one reason or another, Pulis didn’t rate Campana, not playing him once in the for the remainder of the season, before loaning him out, and while that may look concerning, you have to remember that Pulis isn’t the best judge of talent.
This is the same manager who said that Serge Gnabry was not at the level to play for West Brom, of course, Pulis was proven wrong as Gnabry scored nine Champions League goals last season on his way to picking up the famous trophy.
Campana’s Premier League failure is a rare black mark on what has otherwise been an impressive career, he’s just been given his first Spain call-up and he’s been a consistent starter in La Liga for a number of years.
This could end up being a great signing and Leeds needn’t worry about his previous Premier League tenure.
