Leeds United have received an unexpected boost in their pursuit of Nantes forward Matthis Abline after a rival manager distanced himself from a move for the forward.
Having completed a deal to sign Noah Okafor, Leeds’ attack for the new season is beginning to take shape as they attempt to remain in the Premier League.
However, Daniel Farke admitted that he would still like to bring at least one more “x-factor” signing to Leeds, having also signed centre forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin in recent weeks.
Several potential targets have been suggested as options to bolster the Leeds attack, with the Whites holding a long-standing interest in Bilal El Khannouss, and Christiantus Uche of Getafe could be available for a cut-price move.
Leeds have also been linked with Matthis Abline of Nantes, but face competition for his signature. However, a rival manager has now distanced his side from a move, in a boost to Leeds’ hopes.
Manager distances his team from Leeds United target
After Nantes manager Luis Castro admitted that he was preparing for life without his star striker, Stade Rennais were named as a potential destination for the France under-21 international.
Rennes are in the market for a striker, having sold former Leeds target Arnaud Kalimuendo to Nottingham Forest, and Abline is one of several names mentioned as potential options.
However, speaking in the French publication Ouest France, Rennes manager Habib Beye has spoken about his side’s hunt for a striker, dismissing what he describes as “surprising” reports.
Beye said: “I’m going to be very clear, with the backing of my management, because I read or hear some surprising things, or I see certain prices being advertised… We’re definitely not desperate to take all the strikers on the planet!
“We want an additional striker, we’re in the market and we’re moving forward with our targets, but we won’t do just anything, and we won’t pay a price that doesn’t justify it!
“If we have to stay as we are, I’m very happy with my current squad, which is competitive!”
All eyes on the Nantes team selection for Strasbourg game
Abline was forced to watch on from the bench until the hour mark in Nantes’ opening game of the season as they fell to a defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
Castro explained that Abline was not 100% fit prior to the game, and he elected to use him as a substitute as a result, before bringing him on for his second-half cameo.
Nantes travel to Strasbourg this weekend for their second game of the season, and all eyes will be on Castro’s team selection to see if Abline is recalled.
If the forward is omitted once again, it could pique the interest of Daniel Farke and the other sides chasing the French youth international.
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