The Argentine was heavily linked with a move to Elland Road, and between all the fervent speculation and his own optimistic social media activity, a transfer seemed like a real possibility.
Of course, deadline day came and went with the midfielder still on the books at Udinese, but there has been a residual interest in the player ever since among Whites supporters, and it will no doubt come as a blow to learn that Premier League champions Liverpool are being linked with a potential swoop for him.
According to Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport, Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of the South American, and with rumours persisting over Barcelona’s interest in Gini Wijnaldum, he could be drafted in as a replacement for the Dutchman.
How much truth there is in that report – especially bearing in mind that De Paul has averaged fewer dribbles, fewer successful actions, fewer shots on target, and a lower pass completion rate than Wijnaldum this season – remains to be seen, but if the Reds are genuinely keen, the suggestion is that they could be forced to cough up upwards of £35 million.
Leeds have already found out firsthand how desperate Udinese are to hang on to their star man, and it would appear that their stance has not changed too drastically over the past few months.
Elsewhere, former England striker Kevin Phillips has claimed that the Whites would definitely be interested in signing Bournemouth striker Josh King this month.
He told Football Insider: “100%, Leeds would be interested. If he is made available a lot of teams will be looking at him.
“With West Ham getting rid of Haller you would have thought they would’ve been the most interested because they need a replacement. Josh King would be a massive addition for Leeds.”
The same site reported at the beginning of the week that the Hammers, who are widely considered to be favourite for the player’s signature, have pulled out of the race to sign him.
Click and scroll through the rest of our Premier League transfer round-up below:
![AC Milan have stepped up their interest in taking Chelsea defender on loan. Newcastle United were keen on the player, but he is eager to move to Italy. (Daily Mail)
(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjEyNjRlMjBkLTlkNTQtNDNjNC1iYTlkLTE2NzdmYmE0YzEwMzpjYjc5M2E3OC0yY2M4LTRmNGEtODMzMy1mMGMwMWY0YzAyYmM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Milan step up Tomori interest
AC Milan have stepped up their interest in taking Chelsea defender on loan. Newcastle United were keen on the player, but he is eager to move to Italy. (Daily Mail) (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) Photo: Clive Mason
![Former England striker Kevin Phillips has claimed that Leeds United would definitely be interested in signing Bournemouth forward Josh King this month. The pundit said: “100%, Leeds would be interested. If he is made available a lot of teams will be looking at him. Josh King would be a massive addition for Leeds." (Football Insider)
(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU1MmRjN2I5LTQ0MDAtNDBhMS1hYzhlLTQyNjc2NmVjYzgxMzo2NzRjYzU1My1hN2MyLTQ5MzItOGJhZi1hMjI5MjE5YWI4YTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Phillips touts Leeds interest in King
Former England striker Kevin Phillips has claimed that Leeds United would definitely be interested in signing Bournemouth forward Josh King this month. The pundit said: “100%, Leeds would be interested. If he is made available a lot of teams will be looking at him. Josh King would be a massive addition for Leeds." (Football Insider) (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) Photo: Naomi Baker
![Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that his side have received enquiries for Newcastle United loan target Hamza Choudury. He said: “There have been enquiries for Hamza but, as I say, we are not in any big rush at the moment until we see where the squad is going to be at". West Brom and Southampton are also said to be keen. (Sky Sports)
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmQ4N2U2OGFjLTg4ODUtNGE5Yi1hOWUxLTA5NTg3MzFkN2IwYjo1ZTBjMmIwYi1kZmZjLTQzNGItYjYxMS1lMjEzNzhjMjZjNjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Leicester have had Choudhury enquiries
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that his side have received enquiries for Newcastle United loan target Hamza Choudury. He said: “There have been enquiries for Hamza but, as I say, we are not in any big rush at the moment until we see where the squad is going to be at". West Brom and Southampton are also said to be keen. (Sky Sports) (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) Photo: Michael Regan
![Newcastle United would rather lose Dwight Gayle for nothing when his contract expires in the summer than sell him in the remainder of the transfer window. (The Athletic)
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJlYzhkNjk0LWMyMDUtNGE2ZC05MDcyLTMzNGMyM2I0ZjUxODo4NzgzYmMzMS1hNDdiLTRkZTQtODdhNy1mMTE1OTY5YWE3YzQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Newcastle unwilling to sell Gayle
Newcastle United would rather lose Dwight Gayle for nothing when his contract expires in the summer than sell him in the remainder of the transfer window. (The Athletic) (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Photo: Laurence Griffiths
![Darren Bent has thrown his backing behind Burnley's potential move for Everton full-back Jonjoe Kenny. The defender has emerged as a potential target for the Clarets, and the pundit has argued that it could be deal that suits all parties. (Football Insider)
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVmMDY0YTQyLWJjM2YtNDU3NC05MzAyLWQxYWQ1OTYzNTExNjo2ZGJkODY1OS01NmU5LTRjNTgtYWM2ZC02NTZjZGE1YjY2NWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Bent backs Kenny to Burnley
Darren Bent has thrown his backing behind Burnley's potential move for Everton full-back Jonjoe Kenny. The defender has emerged as a potential target for the Clarets, and the pundit has argued that it could be deal that suits all parties. (Football Insider) (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) Photo: Alex Livesey
![Midfielder Michal Karbownik is expected to return to Brighton this month, and has already said goodbye to loan club Legia Warsaw. (Przeglad Sportowy)
(Photo by JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE4MmFlMmY0LTE3NDItNDJiMS04Y2FiLWQ0ZjliZGQzMmEzMjo4ZGZmY2FjNC01MjA4LTQyYTYtOTRlYy0yYTM2MDVjZTAyOTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Karbownik says goodbye to Warsaw
Midfielder Michal Karbownik is expected to return to Brighton this month, and has already said goodbye to loan club Legia Warsaw. (Przeglad Sportowy) (Photo by JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: JANEK SKARZYNSKI