‘I need to play well’… New Leeds United target responds when asked about Elland Road interest

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A new name has appeared on the shortlist of Leeds United as The Whites look to make a few signings before the end of the summer window, in the form of an 18-year-old attacker.

Leeds have managed just four new signings this summer and one of those was the permanent acquisition of an on-loan star from last season. Joe Rodon joins permanently, alongside three other summer signings.

Joe Rothwell on loan, Jayden Bogle for £5m from Sheffield United and Alex Cairns as a replacement for Kris Klaesson to become the club’s third-choice goalkeeper. Mostly, Leeds have been offloading players.

Six sold, five on loan and plenty more at the end of their Elland Road contracts. But as Leeds return from Germany after a summer training camp, focus is likely to switch to a few incoming signings this month.

• READ MORE: Left-back on Leeds radar has now rejected a move to Besiktas

Leeds leading race to sign Ukraine wonderkid Gennadiy Synchuk

Reports emerged over the weekend that Leeds are one of four Championship clubs looking at a deal to sign Metalist Kharkiv’s 18-year-old star Gennadiy Synchuk, having watched him for a number of months.

It is claimed that Synchuk, who helped Ukraine’s U19 side reach the semi-finals of the U19’s Euro 2024 in Northern Ireland recently, is also said to be interesting Derby County, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

German sides are also keen on Synchuk, but Leeds are said to be winning the race for Kharkiv’s no.9 having been keeping an eye on his progress since the winter. He has clocked up 30 senior club outings.

What Synchuk has said when asked about Leeds interest

While in Northern Ireland, Synchuk was asked about interest from Leeds in an interview published on fan site Dynamo.Kiev.ua. He was not aware of interest, but his agents told him to shine in Northern Ireland.

“I don’t know anything about it [Leeds interest]. You should ask the management of Metalist. I haven’t heard anything about any interest. They [my agents] didn’t tell me about it,” Synchuk said on his future.

“They only said that I need to play well in Northern Ireland, and it will be seen. For now, I’m with the team at the Euros. It will be seen after the tournament. Everything is going to be fine – I will start with Metalist.”