Phil Hay has reported on The Athletic’s live transfer blog that Leeds United were willing to splash £10m on Genk winger Joseph Paintsil in the final days of the window – but, explains why a move has stalled.
Paintsil, 25, threw himself onto the radar of a number of clubs after a wonderful 22-23 campaign where the Ghana star had a hand in 32 goals – scoring 14, creating 18. Leeds have shown the most interest.
Some reports suggested that Leeds were close to his signing, towards the end of last week. But then, on Monday, it was claimed by Belgian outlet HLN that Painstil had actually told Genk he wanted to stay.
No mention of that from Hay, this morning. The trusted Athletic reporter explains that a move for the Ghana ace has broken down due to ‘financial wrangling’ between Genk and Paintsil, over some bonuses.
Hay says that Leeds were willing to pay a fee of £10m to land the impressive winger. But bonuses that are ‘potentially owed’ to him, have seen a deal stall. It is now in danger of stopping a move altogether.
Leeds willing to splash £10m on Paintsil but move has stalled
While a move for Nadiem Amiri made sense – or the deals that remain on the cards for midfielders like Glen Kamara and Ao Tanaka – a deal for Paintsil never seemed crucial. We are well stocked out wide.
Luis Sinisterra and Willy Gnonto are back after training by themselves, both starting and scoring on the weekend. Ian Poveda, Dan James and Cree Summerville are injured, but in and around the first team.
Georginio Rutter is seen by Daniel Farke as more of a wide man than a no.9. So, Leeds have plenty of options on the flanks. So why did we need Paintsil? You would imagine if he does join, another would go.
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