Leeds United could be the biggest losers from a string of transfers involving former attacking targets as Daniel Farke looks to add the final signings to his Premier League squad.
A humbling defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup served as a perfect reminder of why Leeds still need to strengthen, as they looked toothless in attack.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was guilty of wasting Leeds’ best chance late on, but Daniel Farke will be concerned about his side’s inability to break down an inexperienced Wednesday side.
Leeds have been linked with a long list of attacking players over the course of the transfer window, with the likes of Strasbourg forward Dilane Bakwa and Brighton playmaker Facundo Buonanotte being mentioned in recent days.
However, the Whites now look like they could be on the receiving end of some bad news, as a transfer butterfly effect could cause them to miss out on one of their leading attacking targets.
Mehdi Taremi move could see Leeds United miss out on target
One-time Leeds transfer target Mehdi Taremi looks set to find a new club, according to a report in Calcio Mercato, as Greek side Panathinaikos consider a move for the Iranian forward.
The Greek side’s interest comes as their striker, Fotis Ioannidis, prepares to leave the club, having also been linked with Leeds in this window, to join Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
Sporting are eyeing up a move for Ioannidis as a potential replacement for Danish forward Conrad Harder, who now looks set to join AC Milan, having previously appeared close to joining Stade Rennais.
The transfer chain that could hurt Leeds United:
- Mehdi Taremi – Inter Milan to Panathinaikos
- Fotis Ioannidis – Panathinaikos to Sporting Lisbon
- Conrad Harder – Sporting Lisbon to AC Milan
- Matthis Abline – Nantes to Stade Rennais
This is where Leeds come into the picture. If Rennes miss out on a deal for Harder, they are likely to turn their attention to Nantes forward Matthis Abline, who is reportedly on the radar of his former club as he looks set to leave Canaries.
Alternatively, the report states that Taremi could move to Sassuolo, the home of former Leeds target Andrea Pinamonti, who rejected a move to Elland Road earlier in the window.
As a result, this one transfer could see as many as three one-time Leeds targets come off the market, whilst also ending one option to give Farke the reinforcements he needs in attack.
Daniel Farke admits Leeds need to strengthen in attack
Speaking in his post-match press conference, via Leeds Live, Farke admitted that Leeds need to strengthen in attack after a chastening experience at Hillsborough.
Whilst stopping short of stating how many players he wants to bring in, Farke admitted that Leeds’ defeat was a reminder of their shortcomings in attack.
The Leeds boss said: “We definitely want to do more in the offence. Today was a reminder of that. The offence was not on a top level, but we knew this before. Pretty happy with the addition of James Justin. Let’s see in the upcoming days.”
With the daunting prospect of a home game against Newcastle a few days away, Farke is likely to need to find solutions within his squad to earn a second Premier League win of the season.
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