Leeds United’s work in the transfer window is far from done even if the club are set to welcome their fourth summer signing to Elland Road in the next day or two.
A deal for Gabriel Gudmundsson is close with the Lille star to travel to England on Sunday and meet with Leeds ahead of doing a medical and completing personal terms. He replaces Junior Firpo at left-back.
The Sweden international will be the club’s fourth addition after already signing Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw. Leeds are expected to beat Fenerbahce to his signature, costing around £8.6m.
But Leeds are far from done. The club still need a goalkeeper, perhaps another full-back if Sam Byram goes, a midfielder, a no.10, a replacement for Manor Solomon and a striker who is considered a starter.
Leeds target El Hadji Malick Diouf after Senegal’s win v England
Leeds fans tuned in not to support England last month, but to watch Habib Diarra in action for Senegal at the City Ground. Diarra scored for Senegal but of course, he has now joined Sunderland for a fee of £35m.
However, another Senegal player caught the eye of Leeds fans. Slavia Prague’s El Hadji Malick Diouf was excellent playing on the left of a 3-4-3 system, shutting out Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka time and time again.
Just under a month after Senegal’s 3-1 win, The Sunday Mirror (July 6, page 77) say that Leeds are among the clubs eyeing Diouf. Slavia Prague want a £21.6m package that includes an initial fee of £17.25m.
West Ham have seen an overall bid including add-ons worth £17.25m rejected, but remain in talks while Leeds and Nottingham Forest are looking. Crystal Palace were, but have moved on to Ajax’s Borna Sosa.
Why El Hadji Malick Diouf could be Leeds’ new Stuart Dallas
It is fair to say that not many players at the top level have the versatility that Stuart Dallas offered Leeds. Initially a winger, the left-footed ace would normally operate on the right but could also play on the left.
But the introduction of Marcelo Bielsa saw Dallas then able to operate as a right-back, a left-back, a no.4 and a no.8 in Bielsa’s 4-1-4-1 system. Six different positions out of a possible 10 under the Argentine.
Well, Diouf is not far off. Left-back, left wing-back in a 3-4-3, left or right of a front three and even the left of a three at centre-back, Diouf offers massive versatility in an era of football where versatility is rare.
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