Matters in the transfer market have slowed down at Leeds United ahead of the new Premier League season starting this weekend.
Leeds United fans are wondering who might be the next player to arrive at Elland Road in the summer transfer window. Already this summer Daniel Farke has welcomed seven new Leeds United players and there’s been some really exciting signings among those seven.
In particular Leeds United fans are impressed with midfielder Anton Stach who has played in the last couple of pre-season friendlies whilst others are excited to see how goalkeeper Lucas Perri fares in between the sticks. But for Leeds United there remains a few gaping holes in the side, notably in attack.
Farke is lacking options, depth and quality as things stand and there’s been a number of attacking players linked with Leeds United and whilst we expect Leeds to make a flurry of attacking signings before the September 1st deadline, more signings elsewhere on the pitch cannot be ruled out even in midfield where we’ve already seen Stach and Sean Longstaff signed this summer.
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West Ham fail with opening bid for Leeds United transfer Mateus Fernandes
One player liked by Farke is Mateus Fernandes. Southampton signed the 21-year-old from Sporting CP last summer in a deal that cost £15million. Earlier in the summer, Leeds United were initially linked with Fernandes who’s even had links to the likes of Juventus. But it’s Leeds’ Premier League rivals West Ham who’ve made the first move.
Journalist Alfie House has revealed on X that West Ham have seen their opening bid for Fernandes rejected. He adds that the bid doesn’t even come close to the club’s valuation of Fernandes, though an exact valuation is not yet known, with multiple reports hinting at a possible £30million valuation for Fernandes, though even that has been questioned.
Fernandes remains under contract until 2029 and Southampton are in no rush to sell their star midfielder. But with House suggesting West Ham’s bid doesn’t come near the club’s valuation of the player, it does suggest that Southampton have a price tag in mind.
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Leeds United made a laughing stock in Mateus Fernandes pursuit
Despite the Saints’ poor Premier League season last time around, Fernandes impressed. He featured 36 times and scored two goals with four assists. And the level of interest in his services tells us all just how good he is and how much potential he has. Southampton’s valuation too is a good indicator of how good a player he is.
But earlier in the season, when Farke was being linked with a move for Fernandes, it was reported that Southampton were mocking Leeds United’s approach to sign the midfielder. It was suggested that Leeds United were considering a £30million swoop for Fernandes, but a report at the time joked of Fernandes: “His hair is worth £30million.”
It’s an indication that Southampton are going to hold out for a lot more than the £15million investment they made in Fernandes and a lot more than the £30million. In the past, Southampton have valued players like Tyler Dibbling at the £100million mark, and whilst they may highball in these types of situations with Fernandes, it certainly looks like they are holding out for what could be a club record deal for Leeds United.
That said, whether or not Leeds United need a player like Fernandes remains to be seen. Attacking signings are very much the focus right now.
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