Leeds United’s latest reported transfer target was once likened to Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr by former loanee Djed Spence.
Vinicius is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world right now after playing a major role in helping Real Madrid lift yet another Champions League crown.
While of course Leeds will not be signing players of his calibre with another season of Championship football staring them in the face, it is certainly not a bad review.
Spence is a face well known to Leeds fans after a fairly disastrous loan spell at the club last season which was cut short due to reported issues over his punctuality.
However, Spence is clearly someone who has an enormous amount of untapped potential based on his time at Nottingham Forest, and so will know a top player when he sees one.
- READ MORE: Jaidon Anthony sends message to Leeds United supporters as Bournemouth loan comes to an end
Leeds target move for Ateef Konate
Chairman Paraag Marathe has confirmed funds will be available for Farke to spend this summer, all be it within the restrictions of the EFL’s tight PSR constraints.
With that in mind, the free agent market is certainly somewhere in which Leeds should be looking at to strengthen the squad, with plenty of quality players coming to the end of their contracts next month.
And according to outlet Africa Foot, Leeds are looking at signing a player who is set to leave a Premier League club on a free transfer this summer in Nottingham Forest’s Ateef Konate.
It is said Leeds are set to battle it out with the likes of Huddersfield Town, Sunderland and Derby County for the 23-year-old, who has already announced his departure from Forest ahead of the window opening.
Konate played just three times for Forest’s first team but has been prolific at U21s level, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists in 55 appearances for the Reds’ youth side.
Konate compared to Vinicius by Djed Spence
Konate is actually an old teammate of former Leeds loanee Spence, with the two having been together at Forest at the same time.
And after helping Forest’s U23s to a 3-0 win over Sunderland back in 2022, Spence even compared Konate to that of Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr.
Obviously all tongue in cheek, of course, but it would appear as though Konate is the type of player who likes to bring flair and pace to the pitch whenever he plays.
Given his lack of experience in senior football at the age of 23, this feels like it would be a bit of a risk, but there is plenty of competition for his signature anyway.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
