Leeds United and Sunderland have been going toe-to-toe in the transfer window so far.
Both clubs are showing they mean business as they gear up for a grueling season in the Premier League.
Signings are being made left and right, but it appears as though The Black Cats are coming out on top.
This comes after Habib Diarra joined Sunderland over Leeds, and to add insult to injury, Regis Le Bris swooped in for Noah Sadiki.
That’s two key midfield targets taken from the 49ers’ grasp, and it could happen again if Leeds don’t act quickly.
Leeds United in yet another transfer battle with Sunderland
Daniel Farke will want to get one over Leeds’ rivals, but Sunderland are making the Whites look silly.
The Mackems have been so much more ruthless when it comes to signings, as Diarra’s signing came out of nowhere.
Sadiki was looking like Diarra’s replacement, but once again Leeds missed out, and they’ll hope to avoid the same with another target.
Foot Mercato are reporting that there is heavy interest in RC Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui.
European clubs, including Juventus and AC Milan, want the 24-year-old, but Leeds and Sunderland are also named as potential suitors.
El Aynaoui will have the choice this summer to decide on his future, and it’s been made clear that he wants to discover another league away from France.
Will Still is a big fan of new Leeds target El Aynaoui
Having previously looked into the possibility of signings from Ligue 1, Leeds are still hoping to find an alternative to Diarra, with the Bundesliga also an avenue, as Anton Stach could trump Diarra’s Sunderland move.
But the only problem is that evidently, Sunderland love to scope out gems from France, and El Aynaoui certainly emerges as one of the more exciting talents.
After eight goals with Lens last campaign, the Moroccan is an all-action midfielder who can play from deep or find himself in the final third.
Will Still occupied the box-crashing midfielder role in a number six or number eight position at Lens, as before leaving for Southampton this summer, Still was a big fan of the 24-year-old.
Speaking to La Voix Des Sports, Still praised the midfielder who ticks the box for the 49ers, standing at 6ft.
“As a club, he must be one of the players on whom you base your sporting project for the coming years. He has technical, tactical, and intellectual abilities,” Still said.
“On a human level, he is always positive, attentive, open, and very humble in everything he does. He has the range to be a potential captain, and that’s what will happen.
“On the pitch, he brings energy, he has technical qualities, and is improving day by day. He is constantly improving. That’s one of the reasons why Monaco wanted him. Fortunately for us, he didn’t leave.”
Still, who is now in England, knows a good player when he sees one after his time scouting in France, and El Aynaoui could be the answer to Farke’s prayers.
However, Sunderland are once again lurking, and the Whites can’t be beaten for a third time.
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