Leeds United have just been obliterated by Sunderland in the transfer market, after the Black Cats stole three of Daniel Farke’s reported targets from right under his nose.
Leeds United and Sunderland are returning to the Premier League next season, along with Burnley, and all three have made strong starts to the summer transfer window.
Daniel Farke has brought in three new players at Elland Road with Leeds United completing the signing of Sebastiaan Bornauw recently, whilst Sunderland have signed two players, but with more coming.
Sunderland have completed the signing of Habib Diarra: previous reports revealed how Leeds had multiple bids rejected for Diarra before the Black Cats swooped in to sign the midfielder from RC Strasbourg.
Then, Sunderland agreed a deal to sign Noah Sadiki, who was a player who Leeds had also reportedly had a bid rejected for this summer.
But that’s not all. To make matters worse, Sunderland have agreed a deal to sign Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea: Leeds wanted to sign Petrovic this summer as a replacement for the out of favour Illan Meslier.
Leeds United targeting Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
After the whole Sunderland debacle, and after losing out on another goalkeeper target after Caoimhin Kelleher joined Brentford earlier in the summer, Farke has reportedly turned his attentions to Torino’s Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. But where the story has emerged from remains somewhat vague.
There are multiple reports in Italy stating that Leeds United have turned their attentions to the 28-year-old goalkeeper, who stands at an impressive 6ft8, whilst a number of X accounts have also reported the same story, albeit without a concrete source of the information.
Last month, it was reported by Calcio Mercato that Napoli were close to agreeing terms with Milinkovic-Savic in what would’ve been an €18million (£15.5million) deal, which is just under the reported €19.5million (£16.8million) release clause that Milinkovic-Savic has at Torino, making the whole transfer saga that little bit more confusing and unclear.
What Leeds United officials are saying after Sunderland snap up 49ers transfer targets
Leeds have made a steady start to this summer’s transfer window. But we’re yet to see a really marquee signing made, like Sunderland’s capture of Diarra which is going up to £30million after the 49ers were simply outbid by the north-east club.
Though it’s not panic stations for the club just yet. Speaking to Leeds United News recently, transfer expert Graeme Bailey revealed how Leeds United are feeling after the Sunderland transfer saga of late.
He said: “From what I am told, Leeds have looked to downplay the fact they were in direct competition but they were very keen on both Diarra and Sadiki. Leeds, though, insist they will be judged at end of the summer.
“Not at the start, which is fair but these are huge moves from Sunderland and let’s not forget – this first season back, the two teams are going to be big rivals in the Premier League.”
But with this latest Milinkovic-Savic news emerging right after the Petrovic news, it may suggest that Leeds are really trying to get a move on now, fearful that they’ll end up rushing around towards the end of the summer transfer window to sort their squad out.
And the goalkeeper position could yet prove the most crucial one for the club to bolster in this summer’s transfer window.
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