Leeds United could’ve signed PSG’s world class £58m star in 2021, he was available for peanuts

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Leeds United once had the opportunity to sign one of Paris Saint-Germain’s current stars for just a fraction of what he is worth now.

PSG reached the Champions League final by beating Arsenal 3-1 across two legs, winning 1-0 at the Emirates and 2-1 in Paris.

Their squad is a list of endless talent and the sort of players Leeds dream of signing after winning the Championship.

The Whites have already been linked with Leonardo Balerdi for around £20m ahead of the summer transfer window, but they’ll be kicking themselves at one deal that failed to materialise in 2021 – especially now he’s considered one of the best players in the world.

• READ MORE: Leeds United ace was rejected by England for crazy reason, now he’s ready to make his mark in the Premier League

Leeds could’ve signed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for bargain price

We’ve all heard it before when teams could’ve signed wonder kids when they were unknown stars, but Leeds really did miss out.

Back in 2021, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was plying his trade in the Russian Premier League with Rubin Kazan and had come to the attention of the Yorkshire club.

At the time, Leeds were willing to pay around £10m for the Georgian but his agent stated that Kazan wanted closer to £17m.

That priced Leeds out and his agent Timur Gurtskaya told Comment Live at the time: “They asked for €20million (£17m) because, in the spring, he was on fire. Everyone then shouted that any English team would buy him, given they were scattering €30million to €40million to the left and to the right.

“But, in fact, no-one took him. Now he plays badly. Now, no-one will pay more than €10 million to €12 million.”

Who did Leeds sign instead of Khvicha Kvartaskhelia in 2021?

Kvaratskhelia wasn’t meant to be and in the end, after a brief stint back in his homeland with Dinamo Butami, he announced himself on the world stage with Napoli.

Earning the nickname ‘Kvaradona’ was just about the highest accolade you can earn from the Napoli fanbase – as well as delivering a first Serie A title in 30 years.

As for Leeds, they went down a different route under Marcelo Bielsa.

Dan James and Jack Harrison were the two wide men that came into the club. Alongside that, the emergence of Crysencio Summerville meant that Leeds were well stocked in that department.

However, I’m sure they still regret not getting Kvaratskhelia.