£5m player decides he wants to leave Portugal at last minute after new interest from Leeds United

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Leeds United are being linked with new players left, right and centre as The Whites desperately try to bring in two or three players before the deadline on Friday night.

Ao Tanaka looks set to join Leeds on a four-year deal, for £3.4m. It looks as if the Japan star will come in to bolster Daniel Farke’s midfield, even if he is unlikely to start initially for the Yorkshire club this season.

Graham Smyth has predicted the club will sign three players, including Tanaka. The Yorkshire Evening Post reporter thinks Leeds will get a full-back in at Elland Road, and maybe an attacker who can play as a 10.

One option is currently plying his trade in Portugal’s top tier, though he is naturally a winger. Farense star Mohamed Belloumi is on the club’s radar having been watched by Leeds many times over the last year.

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Mohamed Belloumi stance on transfer ahead of Friday deadline

The 22-year-old has starred in Portugal for Farense over the last 12 months, having a hand in 12 goals in 38 games for the Liga NOS side last season. It has seen him called-up to Algeria’s squad, yet to win a cap.

Reports emerged earlier this week that Leeds were interested in signing Belloumi. Then, a further report said £5m would be enough to prise Belloumi out of Portugal, though Marseille and Brugge are keen.

Now, Algerian outlet Rivalite say Belloumi is desperate to leave Farense and has not hidden his desire to depart before Friday’s 11pm deadline. The report says that Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Braga want him.

Belloumi is a real talent but Roland Sallai the better option

He is a top, top talent. Skill, goals, flair and able to play on both flanks. But if Leeds are to sign another winger and push the likes of Brenden Aaronson or Wilfried Gnonto into the 10 role, Sallai is the choice.

The Freiburg star, who has 52 Hungary caps to his name, is available before the deadline with his deal due to expire in June 2025. Leeds are said to be ‘pushing hard’ to sign Sallai for a bargain fee of just £7.6m.

Sallai is naturally a winger but like Belloumi, is able to play on both flanks. He is also able to play as a 10 or a second strike like Georginio Rutter did, and is physically capable of coping with the Championship.