AdminLeeds United, currently leading the Championship, are reportedly interested in signing Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna, the 21-year-old MLS Young Player of the Year. Luna, a versatile forward who can play on the left wing or as a No. 10, has had an impressive season with nine goals and eight assists in 36 matches across all competitions.
Luna’s performances have caught the attention of several European clubs, including those from Belgium, Italy, Holland, and Spain. Leeds United have been monitoring his progress and are believed to be leading the race for his signature, despite interest from other European clubs.
The interest in Luna is not surprising, given his impressive stats and versatility on the pitch. He has been one of the standout players in the MLS this season, and his performances have earned him recognition as one of the top young players in the league.
Luna’s contract with Real Salt Lake extends until December 2026 and does not include a release clause. His market value was around $4 million (£3 million) earlier this summer but has since increased due to his impressive performances.
The young talent has previously visited clubs such as Anderlecht and Vitoria SC in Portugal, hinting at a potential move across the Atlantic. Luna has also made headlines for turning down an alternate spot in the US squad for the Paris Olympics in July, reportedly feeling slighted by not being named in the main squad.
Luna’s decision to turn down the Olympic call-up was seen as a surprise move by many, given the opportunity to represent his country on the biggest stage. However, Luna has since expressed his openness to potentially changing his international allegiance to Mexico, a country he qualifies to represent through his parents.
This development has added an extra layer of complexity to Luna’s situation, as he weighs his options and considers his future at the international level. Luna has already played for the USMNT senior team in a friendly loss to Slovenia in January, but it remains to be seen whether he will continue to represent the United States or switch to Mexico.
Real Salt Lake owner David Blitzer has strong connections in Europe, which could facilitate a potential transfer. Blitzer is also a general partner at Crystal Palace, a limited partner at FC Augsburg, and owns Spanish club AD Alcorcon, Belgian team Beveren, and Danish side Brondby. This network of connections could prove useful in negotiating a deal for Luna.
In August, RSL sold Colombian winger Carlos Andres Gomez to Stade Rennes in France for an initial fee reported to be £8.3 million. This deal could be used as a benchmark in future MLS negotiations, and it will be interesting to see whether Leeds United or any other European clubs are willing to meet or exceed this valuation for Luna’s services.
Overall, the situation surrounding Diego Luna is complex and multifaceted, with several factors at play. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see whether Leeds United or any other European clubs are able to secure Luna’s signature, and what the future holds for this talented young player.
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