It’s been reported today that Leeds could be making a bid to sign our former cult hero Max Gradel when the transfer window opens in the new year.
According to the Yorkshire Post, Brian McDermott is a ‘big fan’ of Gradel, and as he has been suggesting for some time that the squad he inherited is ‘lacking width’, it’s likely that as soon as cash is made available by the new investors the Ivory Coast international will be top of his shopping list.
Gradel, scored 25 goals in 84 appearances during his spell at Leeds, when he showed he could operate on either flank, or as a pacey striker playing in a more central role. He was very popular with the fans, although some have not forgiven him for jeopardising our promotion chances in 2010 by getting sent off against Bristol Rovers.
Gradel managed to keep his temper during the following season and was rewarded by being voted player of the year for 2010/11. But he then went to Saint Etienne for £2m at the end of the summer transfer window, as Leeds decided to cash in on a player who was in the final year of his contract, the first of several departures as Bates cut back on the wages so he could fund his dubious property schemes.
The 26 year-old has since scored 11 goals in 58 Ligue 1 games for Saint-Etienne, but now seems to be out of favour and only played 6 games so far this season. So the French club might be keen to do a deal, as Gradel now has just over 18 months left on his current contract.
One sticking point could be his wages, as he is reportedly on £20,000 a week, though the player might be prepared to take a cut to secure first team football, to make sure he doesn’t miss out on selection for the Ivory Coast squad for the 2014 World Cup.
But a bigger problem might be his fitness, as the reason he is no longer being selected by the French club is the cruciate ligament injury he suffered in March this year. His best asset was always his blistering pace, so if he hasn’t fully recovered from his knee problem, will he be the same player who left us in 2011?