After Rodrigo Muniz and Nikola Krstovic, Leeds United are closely following £17m striker shining at U21 Euros

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Leeds United have stepped up their pursuit of a new striker this week despite the signing of Lukas Nmecha, with the Germany international and Jaka Bijol through the door.

Nmecha has agreed a two-year deal on a pre-contract arrangement, which will become official on July 1. Bijol, meanwhile, underwent a medical on Wednesday and is expected to sign a long-term contract soon.

But focus seems to have turned towards signing a starting striker. Following the arrival of Nmecha, it was claimed that Leeds still want to sign a big-money striker to lead the line ahead of Joel Piroe next season.

Leeds have seen a £32m bid rejected for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, while in advanced talks to sign Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic. Now, LeedsUnited.News has been told that Leeds are closely watching Vladyslav Vanat.

• READ MORE: Nikola Krstovic throws a spanner in the works despite £30m advanced talks

Leeds United are closely watching Vladyslav Vanat at U21 Euros

Dynamo Kiev striker Vanat is currently with Ukraine at the U21 Euros in Slovakia, after a stellar season at club level. Vanat, 23, scored an impressive 21 goals in 45 games for Dynamo Kiev, laying on nine assists.

Vanat has just been knocked out of the U21 Euros, with Ukraine losing to Netherlands on Wednesday. It sees them finish third in Group D, but Vanat impressed – even scoring in a 2-0 win over Finland last week.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has informed LeedsUnited.News that Leeds have been watching Vanat while out in Slovakia. Leeds have already been linked with a move for Vanat, earlier on this summer.

Vanat’s release clause and what his agent has recently said

Interestingly, Vanat has a bargain release clause of £17m in his Dynamo Kiev contract. Given Leeds have seen a £32m bid rejected for Muniz, and told Krstovic will cost £30m, Vanat could present a cheap option.

Vanat’s agent has also been speaking about his future, saying he is easily good enough for England’s top tier if he joins a Premier League team: “He can play successfully in both Serie A and the Premier League.”

In such a crucial area of the pitch, Adam Underwood would surely prefer a striker that has shown he can score in the Premier League. But, the price of that is extortionate and may lead to someone like Vanat.