It is now just a fortnight until Leeds United welcome Everton to Elland Road for the first Premier League game of the season, but Leeds are still far from where they want the squad to be.
Daniel Farke said as much after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Villarreal at Elland Road, making a pretty clear message to the club’s transfer team to pick up the pace. Beren Cross expects four more Leeds arrivals.
A striker will have to be one of them, while a full-back to cover the imminent departure of Isaac Schmidt to Werder Bremen. A left-winger too, after missing out on Igor Paixao and possibly, a new no.10 signing.
Below, LeedsUnited.News has analysed the rumours and pick six players that could join Leeds in the coming days. It includes the names of three strikers, and two potential additions to cover full-back.
Six signings Adam Underwood could make this week at Leeds
Rodrigo Muniz – Fulham
The Brazilian striker has remained on Leeds’ radar ever since Underwood saw a £32m bid rejected for the Fulham ace. Muniz is still the priority for Leeds going into the final few weeks of the transfer window.
It is clear that Muniz will be one Leeds try to make a move to sign again. But, Newcastle have held talks over a £40m deal, with the Toon about to lose Alexander Isak. Stiff competition for Adam Underwood.
James Justin – Leicester
LeedsUnited.News understands that one-time England international Justin is an option for Leeds as Farke requests cover at full-back, with Schmidt more than likely leaving in the search of game time this summer.
Justin fits the bill. He is 27, in the final 12 months of his contract, is over 6ft and has 99 Premier League games under his belt. It is believed a fee of £6m is enough for Justin, but Everton are also interested.
Artem Dovbyk – Roma
With Newcastle eyeing Muniz, Leeds need to scour the market and find another name. Leeds are now said to have held talks to sign the Ukraine ace, with initial reports saying Roma wanted a £35m figure.
The same fee Roma paid Girona for Dovbyk. But reports over the weekend say Roma sporting director Frederic Massara is aware £35m bids are unlikely for Dovbyk, and is willing to sell Dovbyk for just £22m.
Arnaud Kalimuendo – Rennes
A blast from the past emerged over the weekend, with Leeds being listed as one of a number of teams interested in doing a deal for 23-year-old Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, after another super season.
Prior to relegation, Leeds wanted Kalimuendo, yet nothing materialised. The forward would be an excellent signing but plenty of other clubs are interested including Saturday’s opponents, AC Milan.
Mattia Zanotti – Lugano
One that might be a bit further along than the others, is Mattia Zanotti. A teammate of Willy Gnonto’s at the U21 European Championships, Zanotti is playing in Switzerland with Lugano, like Gnonto at Zurich.
Leeds had been linked with Zanotti earlier this summer, a new teammate of Gjanni Alioski. More recent headlines say that Leeds are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Zanotti for a fee of £8.7m. One to keep an eye on.
Bilal El Khannouss – Leicester
The Morocco international seems to be the pick of the options for Leeds on the left, after missing out on Igor Paixao. Last week, Leeds held a meeting with the Leicester man’s camp ahead of agreeing a fee.
El Khannouss has a £24.5m release clause in his deal and Leeds are hoping to activate that, informing El Khannouss’ camp of their plans. But the likes of Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen also want El Khannouss.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
