‘Leeds and Premier League rivals learn Middlesbrough’s asking price for Finn Azaz’
Leeds are among a number of Premier League clubs interested in Finn Azaz, with Middlesbrough expected to demand a hefty sum for the midfielder.
Daniel Farke’s side were promoted to the Premier League after winning the Championship, topping the table on 100 points.
Manor Solomon scored a 95th-minute winner against Plymouth, to ensure that the Elland Road outfit pipped Burnley to the title, with Scott Parker’s side going up in second.
In the play-off final, Sunderland beat Sheffield United 2-1 at Wembley, with Tommy Watson’s injury-time winner firing the Black Cats back to the top flight.
Middlesbrough expect big fee for Azaz
Azaz moved to Middlesbrough from Aston Villa in January 2024, and he has impressed during his time at the Riverside.
This season, the Ireland international racked up 12 goals and 11 assists, and was the league’s seventh top scorer despite playing as a number 10.
According to the You Are My Boro podcast, Premier League clubs will need to stump up at least £15million to prise the midfielder away from Teesside.
Host and Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson said: “(£15m) was the number that came into my mind, I don’t think you sell him for less than that.
“I think if a club comes in and offers you £8m-£10m for Finn Azaz, that’s not going to turn your head.
“His numbers are very good, and it still feels like he’s a player that has plenty of development potential.”
Leeds set for busy summer
Football Insider Verdict
Both Leeds and Bournemouth are rumoured to have an interest in Azaz, who came up through the ranks at West Brom before being bought by Aston Villa.
Farke’s side are clearly in the market for a number ten, after it emerged that Leeds are interested in Gustavo Hamer, who was part of the Sheffield United side beaten in the play-off final.
It will be a test for any of the promoted teams to stay up next season, as in the previous two campaigns, all three coming up from the Championship have been immediately relegated.
Football Insider exclusively revealed that Leeds could spend £100m over the summer, in an attempt to buck the trend and avoid the drop back down to the second tier.
It’s all well and good spending the money, but if the recruitment isn’t top quality, then Farke will have no chance trying to compete in the Premier League, so the Yorkshire side must get the incomings right.
