Leeds United’s summer-long pursuit of a striker would finally come to an end when the club confirmed the signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free. But plenty had been linked beforehand.
Leeds had been desperate to sign 11-time England man Calvert-Lewin having heard that he would not be signing a new deal at Everton. But initial noises around the striker suggested Leeds weren’t in the running.
England need Dominic Calvert-Lewin more than they need Ollie Watkins – surely? 🦁🦁🦁
Who are you taking and why?
But after a few weeks, and the transfer window growing older, Leeds got their man. Calvert-Lewin rejected Milan, Newcastle, and Man United before choosing Leeds and after his run of goals, fans are delighted.
However, Calvert-Lewin wasn’t the only one. In the Premier League, Everton ace Beto and Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz were considered. Roma’s Artem Dovbyk and new Atalanta star Nikola Krstovic were linked.
Leeds tabled £17m bid to sign Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes
A year beforehand, Leeds had done business with Rennes, selling Glen Kamara to the Ligue 1 side. But that move has not gone to plan. In the summer, Leeds looked at Ligue 1 as a serious scouting pool.
Lucas Perri and Gabi Gudmundsson joined from Lyon and Lille. Leeds also made moves for Sunderland’s Habib Diarra and Forest’s Dilane Bakwa, who had both impressed under Liam Rosenior at Strasbourg.
Now, a report from French outlet Jeunes Footeux claims Leeds offered £17m to Rennes for striker Arnaud Kalimuendo. Eventually, Kalimuendo would go and join Nottingham Forest in the summer for £25m.
Rasmus Kristensen and Robin Koch’s Frankfurt needed to replace Hugo Ekitike and bid £22m for the striker, while Villarreal went as high as £24m. But Forest got a deal done for the former PSG product.
Which position do Leeds United need to strengthen most in January?
Explain why!
Arnaud Kalimuendo’s future, game time and Jesse Marsch bid
It’s not the first time Leeds have been linked with Kalimuendo. During the Jesse Marsch era, reports said that Leeds bid for Kalimuendo, but he remained in France. Now, he could be on the move in January.
Kalimuendo has struggled for game time at Forest. The presence of former Leeds striker Chris Wood, and Igor Jesus – another player Leeds considered, has limited Kalimuendo to just eight league appearances.
A dismal total of just 82 minutes in England’s top flight. Given his 1-in-3 Ligue 1 record, his transfer fee, and his six France caps, he will have expected more. L’Equipe say Paris FC are keen on a loan move.
Paris of course, are one of the numerous clubs currently benefitting from RedBull investment like Leeds. It would come as no surprise then, that Leeds might be interested in Kalimuendo again come January.
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