Attacking signings look set to become the priority for Leeds United in the rest of this summer’s transfer window, with a new striker looking like he could arrive at Elland Road.
Leeds United have now signed seven new players this summer. It comes after Daniel Farke’s side completed the signing of Lucas Perri from Lyon and the goalkeeper will replace Illan Meslier in between the sticks.
It now gives Farke the bulk of a new team behind the final third on the pitch. With Perri in goal, new centre-backs and new central midfielders, Farke can finally turn his attentions to attack with a new winger, a new number 10 and a new striker, arguably all needed before the end of the summer transfer window. In particular up front, Leeds could do with another one or two additions.
Mateo Joseph still looks set to leave Leeds United this summer, along with Patrick Bamford, which will leave just Joel Piroe and Lukas Nmecha in attack. One striker linked with Leeds United lately is Inter’s Mehdi Taremi.
Botafogo won’t be signing Leeds United transfer target Mehdi Taremi
Recent reports revealed how Leeds United are in the race to sign Taremi this summer. The 55-goal Iranian international, now 33 years old, is poised to leave Inter Milan after scoring just three goals in 43 total games for the Italian giants last season. However, Leeds United were battling Botafogo in the race to sign Taremi.
Davide Ancelotti’s side were thought to hold a strong interest in signing Taremi this summer before reports last week revealed how Taremi turned down a move to Botafogo. Now, the club’s sporting director Leo Coelho has confirmed that Botafogo indeed held talks to sign Taremi but that the club are not progressing any further.
Coelho is quoted as telling Amazon: “Regarding the negotiations with Taremi. They were very preliminary. In reality, we were just sounding it out. His agents also inquired about the possibility of him coming to do, and they presented their demands to us.
“But it’s a matter of keeping our books balanced. We need to understand our budget and our squad. So as to not create problems for ourselves that are out of proportion.”
Mehdi Taremi’s track record of scoring goals is impressive
Last summer, Inter Milan signed Taremi on a three-year contract following his contract expiry with Porto. And whilst he flopped with Inter, Taremi has a very impressive track record in the Premeira Liga with Porto, scoring an incredible 91 goals in 181 total games, or a goal every other game.
In the 2022-23 season alone, Taremi scored 31 goals in 51 total games for the Portuguese giants, including five in seven Champions League games that season. The two-time Iranian Footballer of the Year, and the Premeira Liga top scorer twice, Taremi is still hot property despite being 33 years old, and a first stint in England could be on the horizon.
| Season (Taremi at Porto) | Games | Goals |
| 2020/21 | 48 | 23 |
| 2021/22 | 48 | 26 |
| 2022/23 | 51 | 31 |
| 2023/24 | 35 | 11 |
And for Leeds United, it could be a bit of a bargain deal. Reports claim that Inter want just £9m for Taremi this summer, making him a very affordable option, especially considering the fact that Leeds have already spent well this summer, with their reported £150m transfer budget steadily being chipped away at.
There would certainly be doubts over Taremi given his poor last season at Inter and the fact that he’s never played in England before, but his track record with Porto and on the international stage with Iran suggests that he’s someone with great experience who could well be suited to English football, given the chance.
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