Felipe Avenatti during his time at Bologna FC. (Getty Images)
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Leeds must not hesitate to sign this 26-year-old star with one goal in 9 games – Here’s why

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Why Felipe Avenatti could be a smart signing for Leeds United

Back in April 2017, Italian news outlet Ternana News (h/t The Daily Star) had claimed that Leeds United were tracking Felipe Avenatti, who was then playing for Ternana Calcio. However, no deal materialized.

A product of the River Plate Montevideo academy, Felipe Avenatti, 26, spent a season with Uruguayan club before joining Ternana Calcio in 2013. He made his name at Ternana, scoring 33 goals in 141 games across all competitions in four seasons.

After failed spells at Lequeno and Bologna, he joined Belgian club Kortrijk on loan from Bologna in 2018. Avenatti managed to get his career back on track with Kortrijik as he scored 15 goals in 29 appearances that landed him a move to Standard Liege this past summer.

Bologna's forward Felipe Avenatti from Uruguay (L) fights for the ball with Juventus' midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah from Ghana during the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Bologna on May 5, 2018 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. (Getty Images)
Bologna’s forward Felipe Avenatti from Uruguay (L) fights for the ball with Juventus’ midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah from Ghana during the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Bologna on May 5, 2018 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. (Getty Images)

So far at Standard Liege, the Uruguayan striker has managed just one goal in nine league appearances. Regardless, Leeds United must rekindle their interest in Avenatti when the transfer window reopens.

Leeds are once again flying under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa. They must utilize this opportunity to win promotion and learn from the last term’s mistakes.

If the Peacocks have genuine promotion aspirations, Bielsa should look to address a couple of areas in January. One of them is lack of options upfront, with just Patrick Bamford and Arsenal loanee Eddie Nketiah at Bielsa’s disposal.

Despite being restricted to substitute appearances in the league and Carabao Cup starts, Nketiah is Leeds’ second-highest scorer this season.

That clearly tells what the Whites are desperately lacking in the squad and the Argentinean tactician should aim to add more firepower in a bid to aid his promotion tilt. In that regard, Felipe Avenatti could be a good fit at Elland Road.

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa. (Getty Images)
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa. (Getty Images)

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Standing at 6ft 5in tall, Avenatti may not be the most prolific of goalscorers but he is more than capable of handling the physicality of the Championship.

He has decent European experience under his banner and would offer Leeds with a ‘Plan B’ option in the attack. Due to his height and physicality, the former Uruguay U20 international is a real handful for defenders in the box.

Verdict

Avenatti could find success under an astute tactician like Bielsa, with Leeds once again aiming for promotion.