The four names ‘mentioned’ as Leeds United’s number 10 transfer target options

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Leeds United need to upgrade multiple areas of their team this summer, especially with more differentials at the top and bottom end of the pitch.

That means a sizeable upgrade to the goalkeeping position, as well as two or three attacking players of serious quality who can be match-winners via moments of individual brilliance and sheer inspiration.

It’s fair to say Leeds United have made themselves a much larger and more combative team, but also with defensive additions who should make a difference. The likes of Jaka Bijol and Lucas Perri fit that criterion.

However, even with Lukas Nmecha signed, Dominic Calvert-Lewin also added, and Noah Okafor set to sign for Leeds imminently, there are still issues regarding creativity and output within their attacking line.

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Beren Cross reveals four-man attacking midfielder shortlist

There have been numerous names linked all summer, but Beren Cross of The Athletic has revealed a more finalised list in recent days. Via his Q and A, he said: “A full-back, 10 and winger seems most likely.

“Never rule out another striker, but the direction of travel, as of this morning, seemed to suggest those three roles have the biggest chance of happening.

“James Justin and Noah Okafor, you will have read about. [Facundo] Buonanotte, [Bilal] El Khannouss, [Gus] Hamer, [Emi] Buendia and multiple others have been mentioned as 10 options.”

That appears to be the four-man final shortlist for Leeds, but El Khannouss has serious interest from Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund want Buonanotte.

At one stage of the window, it looked as though it would be one of Buendia or Hamer for Leeds. However, nothing has materialised yet.

It’s unclear how the shortlist is ranked, but it is also fair to speculate that Hamer and Buendia could well be the cheaper fallback options and that younger players like El Khannouss and Buonanotte are preferred.

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All you need to know on Facundo Buonanotte as Carlos Tevez likened him to Lionel Messi

Leeds had Buonanotte interest over a year ago and the Argentine playmaker headed to Leicester and perhaps did not feature as much as he would have liked.

In recent weeks, Buonanotte has emerged as a more serious target again. Carlos Tevez is reminded of Messi with Buonanotte. He said: “When he brakes and accelerates he reminds me of Messi.

“I haven’t seen a boy play like that for a long time, that gives me so much pleasure, and that I watch a lot of football.

“Facu has a great mentality, he doesn’t seem to be 17 years old. He is at a very high level, one thinks that he has no ceiling, it is where he wants to go . Today he is physically impeccable.”