Former Leeds United star David Norris believes that striking a deal to sign Rodrigo De Paul this summer would be a huge statement from the club.
The Udinese playmaker has been heavily linked with a potential move to Elland Road, since last summer.
Leeds are said to have made a bid last year, only to see it rejected by the Serie A club.
Reports suggest the Italian side are demanding £40m to allow him to leave after a season in which he scored nine league goals.
Leeds enjoyed a fabulous season under Marcelo Bielsa this term, ultimately finishing in the top-half of the Premier League table.
And Norris thinks that signing the 27-year-old would send a real message of intent to the rest of the top-flight this summer, as he believes De Paul is a “serious player”.
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Norris said: “I think so. I think that could be the one signing where people do that, because he is a serious player, he’s got great ability and he could make them a better team.
“Because of the reputation he’s got now, and the stature he’ll come with, it’ll make people think ‘Leeds are going to have a go again’.
“Especially after that first season, where they’ve survived really well, competed really well, it’s going to be a little bit harder for them now. Teams will know a little bit about them, found out their style of play, how to stop them a bit more. It’s not just that they’re going to hope to hang on and repeat it.
“That would be a statement to go, no, we’re ready to go again, we want to gatecrash those European spots.”
Per FBref, De Paul ranks in the top 1% of attacking midfielders in Europe for his assists, as well as his dribbles completed, and in the top 2% for progressive carries and expected assists (xA). The second most comparable player to him, per the website, is Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne.