Reported Leeds United target Cyle Larin says it’s “right time” to go to Europe

Leeds United fans may remember a few weeks ago when there were rumours that the club was interested in Orlando City and Canada striker Cyle Larin. Larin has now given an interview with a local Orlando paper, indicating that he is now seeking a move abroad.

And while it seemed a little surprising for the MLS product to be on the move, according to a recent interview with the Orlando Sentential, Larin is looking to move abroad in the next transfer window. He said,

I think I’ll benefit. I have personal goals and dreams and I want to go to Europe and play. I think it’s the right time.

I think I’m ready to challenge myself and play at the highest possible level I can.

My contract is ending this season, and I think it’s the right time. I love playing for Orlando. MLS and Orlando have given me a lot, and in the three years I’ve been here, I love playing and I love the fans, but I think to reach my goals it’s necessary to play at the highest level possible with the best players.

Orlando City finished the season in disappointing fashion by failing to make the playoffs. Their captain, Brazil legend Kaká, also announced that he would not be returning to the club next season, meaning that the club will be without two of its biggest stars next season.

However, the club knows that it appears that Larin is ready to move on, with Orlando general manager Niki Budalic saying, “We’ve always known he’s had a longstanding interest to play abroad, and it’s always been our intention to help him achieve those goals through his development and his progress here.”

We asked our friends at The Mane Land about Cyle Larin, the kind of player he is, and the likeliness of a transfer to the Championship last month. It’s a long shot, for sure, but never discount a link to an overseas player with Victor Orta as Director of Football. MLS has improved over the past few seasons, so it’s less of a jump than it was previously. However, MLS is still a long ways away from the standard usually seen in the Premier League, meaning that Larin might end up needing to go to a Championship club or another European league to prove himself before a big-money move to the Premier League. He’ll also need to work on his technical ability, as he’s not great with the ball at his feet, something he’ll have to get better at to make waves in a European league.

However, with Leeds possibly looking for reinforcements in January, and the fact that current on-loan striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is unlikely to be sold by Hamburger SV to Leeds, this move could happen. Just don’t bet a significant amount of money on it, because it’s more than likely not going to happen.