Leeds United see £21.7m bid rejected for striker, selling club want almost as much as Georginio Rutter fee

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Leeds United are closing in on their fifth signing of the summer as another mini saga looks to have finally come to an end, with Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff on his way to Elland Road.

Longstaff has been linked with Leeds ever since Daniel Farke took over, but interest intensified last week when it was reported Leeds made a third bid of £12m, including add-ons. That was eventually rejected.

Then, on Tuesday night, the breakthrough. Leeds had finally got the green light from Newcastle to sign the 27-year-old star, with The Whites upping their bid to an initial £12m plus £3m more in add-ons.

Longstaff is a much-needed signing with Leeds’ midfield options reduced from five to three at the end of the season, after Josuha Guilavogui and Joe Rothwell left – the latter permanently moving to Rangers.

Now, Leeds are getting Longstaff but need more. Another midfielder, a no.10, a replacement for Manor Solomon, a starting striker and a goalkeeper are required – and Leeds have tabled a bid worth £21.7m.

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Leeds see £21.7m bid rejected for Lecce’s Nikola Krstovic

There have been contrasting reports regarding Krstovic. Sources on this side of the pond have regularly stated Leeds are not interested in Krstovic, but over in Italy, Leeds’ interest in Krstovic is constant.

Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that he knows there has been some interest from Leeds in the Montenegro striker. The belief, however, is that Krstovic simply prefers to remain in Italy’s top division.

Now, Italian outlet CalcioStyle report that Leeds have made an offer ‘in recent weeks’ for Krstovic worth £21.7m. However, that has been rejected with Lecce requesting a fee of £34.7m for the impressive striker.

Which striker could Leeds sign in the coming weeks?

There is plenty to be sorted out up top. Leeds are expected to sign a striker but it feels unlikely they will splash a near-Georginio Rutter fee – the Frenchman cost Leeds a club-record £35.5m – to land Krstovic.

Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz seems to be the one Leeds would love to sign. The one that is on top of their shortlist. But before they do that, Leeds need to sort out the future of Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph.

With Lukas Nmecha signed and Gelhardt back, Leeds currently have four strikers with the intention of adding another. At least two need to be sold, realistically that will be Gelhardt and Joseph this summer.

That leaves Leeds with bleep test winner Joel Piroe, Patrick Bamford – a new and improved Bamford, who has been in the gym – and Nmecha as well as a new, big-money starting striker. Plenty to be worked out.