Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United: Pedraza and Barrow arrive to strengthen Leeds' push towards Premier League

HEAD COACH Garry Monk's patience was rewarded last night as Leeds United brought in Alfonso Pedraza and Modou Barrow to bolster their push for a Premier League return.
Leeds United have option to buy loan signing Alfonso Pedraza for £8.5m if they reach the top flight this year (Picture: Varley).Leeds United have option to buy loan signing Alfonso Pedraza for £8.5m if they reach the top flight this year (Picture: Varley).
Leeds United have option to buy loan signing Alfonso Pedraza for £8.5m if they reach the top flight this year (Picture: Varley).

The 37-year-old is understood to have drawn up a list of five targets at the start of the transfer window that was handed to the Elland Road hierarchy.

Monk, who has continually made clear the value of having a close-knit group, did not envisage making five additions, but he wanted options in the market for Leeds to explore.

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Those, though, were reduced by West Ham United refusing to allow Ashley Fletcher to leave and Sergi Canos, the Norwich City winger, joining Brentford.

Landing two wide men in Villarreal’s Pedraza and Swansea’s Barrow does, therefore, represent decent business at the end of a window that had earlier seen Pablo Hernandez’s stay made permanent.

Certainly, in terms of maintaining the spirit and togetherness that have taken Leeds from the relegation zone to the play-off places, the addition of two new faces seems just about right for a squad who top scorer Chris Wood believes is improving all the time thanks to Monk’s on-going implementation of his ideas and work practices.

“At the start of the season, I always felt we would start slowly,” said United’s 20-goal top scorer to The Yorkshire Post. “We had 11 new players and an entirely new coaching staff. It takes time for everyone to settle and gel. We also had to bond.

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“But we have come on so much since then, and I also think we have so many more levels to come on top of that, I honestly do.

“The gaffer and the coaching staff are implementing more and more of their ideas every week.

“As a team, we are trying to take it to a different level and that has been happening. We just have to keep it going.”

Pedraza and Barrow will not feature tonight due to their loan deals – which in the Villarreal man’s case includes an £8.5m buyout clause if United go on to win promotion this term – not going through before yesterday’s noon deadline. Nevertheless, much is expected of the pair.

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Pedraza, when on loan at second tier Lugo during the first half of this season, netted six times and provided eight assists, while Barrow made 19 appearances for Swansea in the first half of the season.

“I am very grateful for this new opportunity to continue to progress as a footballer,” said Pedraza, a Spanish Under-21 international. “It is a great dream for me to land in English football and especially at a club as historic as Leeds United.”

Liam Cooper misses tonight’s trip through suspension following his red card in Sunday’s shock FA Cup exit to non-League Sutton United as Monk prepares to ring the changes once again.

Pontus Jansson, who Monk is expected to sign permanently in the summer, and Kyle Bartley will return at the heart of the defence, while others set to come back in include Wood, Pablo Hernandez, Liam Bridcutt and Rob Green.

Last six games: Blackburn Rovers DWWLDW Leeds United WWWLWL

Referee: G Eltringham (Tyne & Wear).

Last time: Blackburn Rovers 1 Leeds United 2; March 12, 2016; Championship.