There is no doubt that Leeds United need at least one new No.10 this summer, with Daniel Farke’s side gearing towards their Premier League return.
Leeds United need a playmaker this summer, with Brenden Aaronson an option alongside Joel Piroe in that role. Neither were perfect in that area in the Championship and Leeds’ desire for an attacking midfielder is evident.
A Leeds United News exclusive revealed that Gus Hamer and Emi Buendia are Leeds’ front-runners for the role amid recent talk that Buendia is valued at £20 million by Aston Villa recently.
A new name has emerged since then, with Oscar Gloukh now on Leeds’ radar for a reported £21 million as the squad building continues, and Leeds fans could get excited for the Red Bull Salzburg playmaker.
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Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh praised by Israeli chief
The ownership will be doing whatever they can to keep Farke’s side in the Premier League and a creative player or two are paramount to that, especially after losing Manor Solomon’s creativity this summer.
Israel media described Solomon a “most-prominent” player in the team, but he is arguably Israel’s most-important player alongside Gloukh, as shown by the fact he captains his nation.
However, not everything is going to plan with Solomon now staying at Tottenham, meaning his international teammate could be an option instead.
Ran Ben Shimon is the current boss of the Israeli national team, but Alan Hozan was the former figure to hold that role and give Gloukh his chance, as well as Solomon the armband.
Speaking on the pair and then Celtic forward Liel Abada in 2023 via The Herald, Hozan was full of praise for their talent. He said: “I think Liel Abada, along with Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh, are all young and very talented players.
“But what’s important is that they have all gained a lot of experience in good European leagues. I see them as good, young Israeli players who are able to take their opportunities when they are presented to them.”
The hopes of the nation’s World Cup and European Championship hopes lay firmly across the shoulders of that young trio of enormous potential.
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Leeds target Oscar Gloukh is “special”
Back in 2022, via HITC, Gloukh’s father and prominent Israeli football figure Gil Vermouth also commented on Gloukh’s talent level and how “special” he could become after breaking through with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
His father said: “I’m not saying he will have an easy life. He will have to compete with a lot of players for his place. (But) if it’s possible to leave, he will leave. He worked his hardest to get where he is. He practiced from a year old and worked with tears in his eyes.
“People asked me why I made life difficult for him and I said that, in time, he would go far. That was my intention. I just tell him to have fun and do what he knows. The sky is the limit.”
Speaking via HITC again, Vermouth added: “(Before the U-19 Euros) I would have told him not to leave Maccabi Tel Aviv. Do another season and then leave. Now, I would recommend he leave.
“If a club signs him and invests in him and takes him on as a project, then there is a chance of success. Gloukh is something special. He needs to examine his options, sit down with his parents and coaches, and decide.”
The reality is, the excitement and anticipation surrounding Gloukh is palpable and his next obvious step is to move to one of Europe’s ‘Big-Five’ leagues — which could well be Leeds and the Premier League.
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