Only this week, Beren Cross named four targets that are a possibility for Leeds United between now and the end of the transfer window. One of them is the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest.
In a recent piece on The Athletic’s website, Leeds reporter Cross confirmed that Adam Underwood could still sign Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss and Getafe’s Christantus Uche.
Another named by Cross was Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa. Leeds have already had plenty of talks with the ambitious French club this summer, having made a £22m bid for Habib Diarra back in June.
Of course, Diarra has since gone to Sunderland for £30m. Leeds have looked at Strasbourg as a pool for new signings this summer, with Djordje Petrovic also linked with Leeds before joining Bournemouth.
Nottingham Forest table bid for Dilane Bakwa, Leeds hope
At the moment, it seems Leeds are pushing for El Khannouss. The Whites are the only Premier League team to make a ‘formal enquiry’ for El Khannouss, and the Leicester star is keen on a move to Leeds.
But, Bakwa is also an option in case El Khannouss does not join Leeds. Now, Leeds have been given hope in pursuit of Bakwa, with Sacha Tavolieri reporting Nottingham Forest have seen a £26m bid rejected.
Tavolieri said on X: “Forest has submitted an offer of €25M + €5M in bonuses for Bakwa. Insufficient for Strasbourg, who are demanding at least €35M. Other clubs in the Premier League & Italy are monitoring.”
Dilane Bakwa and Bilal El Khannouss compared, the numbers
Strasbourg want a bang for their buck this summer, and are requesting a fee of £30.5m for Bakwa. The same price that Leeds were willing to pay for Igor Paixao, before the Brazilian chose to join Marseille.
El Khannouss is a bit cheaper. Some reports say a £24.5m release clause, others say £22m. But either way, the Morocco ace is less money than Bakwa and boasts Premier League experience compared to Bakwa.
| Name | Clubs | Games | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Minutes per G+A |
| Dilane Bakwa | Strasbourg Bordeaux | 118 | 9193 | 16 | 27 | 213.8 |
| Bilal El Khannouss | Genk Leicester | 130 | 9275 | 7 | 19 | 356.7 |
One thing is for sure, and that is Leeds need attacking reinforcements in the next 11 days before Daniel Farke’s men make their Premier League bow against Everton at Elland Road, under the lights in Yorkshire.
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